SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – Since the era of Jimmy Carter’s Presidency, Nautilus Fitness Center’s doors have been open to all residents on South Church Street in Spartanburg.
That was the case until the fitness center announced it’s closing their doors on September 30.
“We’ve negotiated the last two years and [the City of Spartanburg] pretty much said, ‘you know, we’re going to file eminent domain unless you take this offer,’ and so we negotiated it back and forth,” said John Lankford, Nautilus’ owner. “So pretty much, we’ve been forced out.”
In 2022, Spartanburg’s County Council announced where they’re building its new joint city-government complex. This past July, the City of Spartanburg told 7NEWS that Nautilus sits where future sewage lines need to be placed for the project to continue and time was running out.
Lankford, a former Air Force veteran, claimed he was essentially forced to sell his building that’s acted as the home of Nautilus since 1987.
“[It’s] something we did not look forward to at all,” said Lankford. “I’m very sad, my wife is very sad [and] my son is very sad.”
Nautilus first opened in 1978 and moved to its current location, 160 S Church Street, nearly a decade later. It’s been the home gym of retired Spartanburg County School District 2 teacher Diane Pepper for the past two years.
“It feels very much like a family,” said Pepper. “You see so many different age groups. Everyone. That, again, is very friendly. You walk away feeling like, you know, I had a really good workout, and I had a good time with local people that live here.”
Pepper said she and her husband work out together at Nautilus, because a medical doctor recommended the gym. But now that it’s shutting its doors, Pepper will once again follow the recommendation of others, this time Lankford, and attend another nearby gym.
“It was [John Lankford’s] encouragement to go there and knowing that we will continue to see him and continue that relationship and then to see others here at the gym that are going to be transferring there [made us feel more at ease with the closure],” said Pepper.
Lankford said he is selling all of the equipment inside of the gym because he has until October 31st to vacate the building.
7NEWS reached out to the City of Spartanburg for comment and received this reply:
“As the agreement with Mr. Lankford has not yet been finalized, we will not have any comment at this time,” said Christopher George, City of Spartanburg Communications Manager.
Lankford expressed sadness about the decision but said he’s accepted his fate.
“I’m looking at it like God’s got a plan and I’ve just got a go forward,” said Lankford.
Below is the message posted on Nautilus’ doors:
“To all members past and present. It is with great sadness that I write these words to you. As the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 1:3 ‘Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.’ For those of you who were with me in the beginning in September 1977, and for those who have been members for only a short time, l’ve always said ‘Nautilus has the best members in word!’ At Nautilus you have been more than members. You have been family to Marilyn, Andrew, and me. The competitions, Christmas sweet potato pancake breakfasts, Sunrise services, and our many anniversary celebrations have been so special here at Nautilus. They will always be among my fondest and most cherished memories. My life verse for my business has always been Ecclesiastes 5:19, “For a man to enjoy his work, and accept his lot in life, is indeed a gift from God.” To have had my wife and son working along side me has been icing on the cake (which I would not eat)!”
“As many of you already know, the city and county government has indicated that they will take our property unless we agree to sell. They no longer want us to be a part of downtown Spartanburg. We have fought this battle for over 2 years now. I could say a lot more about this, but I’m trusting God and moving forward. The deadline we’ve been given to vacate is October 31. We have made arrangements with Trinity Health and Fitness behind Mary Black Hospital to honor your memberships if you so choose to take advantage of this opportunity. Craig Price is the owner and I have found him to be a great owner and will help you in any way he can during this transition. I will be there training my usual clients, and Marilyn and Andrew plan on being there to help as well during the transition period. I know that Trinity will provide an atmosphere similar to that of Nautilus, and I hope everyone will feel comfortable there seeing many familiar faces.”
“I know there will be many questions so please feel free to ask Marilyn, Andrew or me about any concerns you may have. We plan on operating as usual until the end of September. Beginning in October we will be selling equipment and moving things out. Anyone who wants to come in during that time please feel free to do so, but your favorite piece of equipment may be gone. This is something none of us wanted, but I pray we will all make the best of it.”
“Nautilus Fitness Center is the oldest independently owned and family operated gym in South Carolina, and you all have been a part of that. All the glory goes to God for without Him it would have never been possible. ‘Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.’ Psalm 115:1.”
“I thank and love you all!”
Nautilus Fitness Center
