![]() Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. If all goes well, Norwoodians can expect Crunch to open by spring. But speculation is swirling that a medical facility will open. still has space for a business on the first floor, with residents expecting a supermarket on the premises. ![]() Indeed, exercise gyms have been popping up dramatically throughout the city, forcing owners to lower their prices.Ĭrunch has also represented the type of business neighbors would want to see along the Webster Avenue strip, rezoned to lure more businesses. With Crunch expected to open in the coming months, the gym could pose a problem for already established exercise chains in the Bronx, including Planet Fitness, which has eight gyms throughout the borough, outnumbering Crunch, which will open its first Bronx location in Norwood. “They’ve been advertising for three or four months,” said Sheila Sanchez, a community activist who attended the committee meeting. Crunch’s official website also lists the Webster Avenue location, supporting Crunch’s presumption that the chain will be approved by the BSA. Nacmias is hashing out details with the regulatory panel and is expected to receive a decision soon.īut well before Crunch officials pitched their plan and were approved by the board, promotional materials circulated around the neighborhood, with some rate cards peddling a $9.95 yearly charge. The housing committee’s blessing is, of course, a simple ring of endorsement since Crunch owners, though, are still required to apply for a special permit through the city’s Board of Standards and Appeal since the gym is considered a Physical Cultural Establishment. Gal, an exercise enthusiast, has opened several Crunch gyms before, according to his LinkedIn page. The corridor has been attracting businesses since the city moved to rezone some 80 blocks along the corridor, drawing franchisee Assaf Gal to set up shop. Speculation had indeed run rampant on whether Crunch would move into a building at 3170 Webster Ave., a relatively new glass building already housing the Bronx Community Charter School on the second floor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has long promoted exercise, recommending 20 minutes of rigorous exercise three times a week or 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week. As it stands, Norwood is relatively dry from an exercise gym, an area whose health profile includes high rates of diabetes and obesity, according to the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Roughly 750 members are expected to visit the gym daily, which could perhaps improve the overall health makeup of the neighborhood. Overall, Crunch officials are expected to draw 4,000 to 6,000 members annually, taking advantage of some other amenities, including on-site parking. Members pored over details of the gym, which will boast a large workout area, men’s and women’s locker rooms, and a tanning room. 15 gathering, with zoning attorney Michael Nacmias offering a presentation. But the Housing Committee voted in favor of the plans during its Jan. As of press time, that full general board meeting was postponed to Jan. 21 impeded the full board to vote on approving a Letter of Support to owners of the exercise chain. In what’s considered symbolic of the type of business Norwood looks to draw on Webster Avenue, Crunch Gym is on its way to opening following a yes vote from Community Board 7’s Housing Committee. The gym boasts an exercise studio, weight rooms, men’s and women’s locker rooms and a tanning room. By DAVID CRUZ A bird’s eye view of the Crunch Gym set to open on Webster Avenue near 205th Street.
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