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Light Drizzle Fog/Mist Blink officially opens in Baldwin
Ceremony marks first Nassau County location for gym
After being vacant for years, some prime real estate in the heart of Baldwin’s downtown has a new tenant. Blink Fitness officially opened its doors on Grand Avenue in Baldwin last Friday with a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the company’s first gym in Nassau County.
The site of the new gym is on the south side of the shopping center just north of Ethel T. Kloberg Drive, the entrance to Baldwin High School. The 18,000 sq. ft. gym began its presale in May after closing on the property about one year ago.
Stephen Catanzaro, Blink’s club manager at its newest location, operated the presale out of the storefront next door while the gym was under construction. He said the Baldwin community has responded well to the new gym and made its presale one of the strongest in company history.
Blink’s upper management is adamant about it’s philosophy, which, Catanzaro said, sets it apart from other gyms. “It’s not just about muscles,” he said. “It’s about the moods with us. When people come in, we’re going to know your name.”
The phrase “moods over muscles” was used multiple times by a myriad of Blink executives and staff during the ceremony. Executive Vice President and General Manager Todd Magazine said Nassau County residents have been underserved in their desire for affordable, high-quality fitness.
“The physical part of fitness will come,” Magazine said, “but it really is about making people happy and putting them in better moods, which will have a tremendous impact on the community. We’re excited to be here.”
The Baldwin community stakeholders on hand were also happy with the new addition. Erik Mahler, co-president of the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, said his organization has been hearing a lot of buzz about Blink’s opening from residents.
“Needless to say it is a great opportunity that we have such a large company opening up in Baldwin,” he said. “It’s not only going to bring more people into the area, but it’s going to be a rollover effect for all the other stores.”
Along with organizations like the BCC and Baldwin Civic Association, local politicians also welcomed the Blink staff to Baldwin with citations and certificates. County Legislator Laura Curran, who lives by the gym, said she has already become a member.
Catanzaro said the gym currently has 20 employees, including several from Baldwin, and is excited that Blink’s 31st location is officially open for business in Baldwin.
