“We wanted a long-term home where we could keep growing for our members,” said owner of downtown Sarasota gym relocating to bigger spot near Sprouts.
Jefferson Fit, a locally owned fitness and wellness center in downtown Sarasota, is moving to a new, bigger location with additional amenities.
The gym has been at Mira Mar Plaza on South Palm Avenue since its inception in 2023. While the historic Mira Mar’s redevelopment plans accelerated the gym’s decision to move, it was more about finding the right place, according to the gym’s owner and founder Jefferson Charles.
The move will place the gym at Second Street and North Links Avenue — near Sprouts Farmers Market — expanding it from about 9,000 square feet to 12,000. The new location is expected to open in early October, though an official date has not been set. Until then, the gym will continue operating at its current site.
“We wanted a long-term home where we could keep growing for our members,” Charles said. “This new location checks every box and gives us the room to add what’s next, starting with the additional recovery amenities and continuing into Phase Two with outdoor space and pickleball.”
Expanded recovery amenities like cold plunge baths, infrared saunas, IV therapy, salt and red-light therapy booths and massage therapy are all benefits gym members can expect to reap with the new expansion, according to Jefferson Charles, the gym’s owner and founder.
“This new facility will be a comprehensive fitness and wellness center,” Charles said in the press release. “Most people pay for separate memberships at different locations to access all the services we’re offering. We’re bringing it all together so members can train, recover and commune in the same place.”
The gym will also house a smoothie bar and a full-service open gym with strength-training and cardio equipment. Outside of the open gym, members can opt for one-on-one personal training and group fitness classes.
There are plans in the works to convert a former bank drive-thru into an outdoor fitness space and pickleball court, but that area will not be complete when the gym opens in October.
“It’s the same mission but with more space and more services under one roof with one membership,” Charles said in the news release.
Ella Thompson covers real estate and development for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Contact her at [email protected].
link