The Fitness Room to open soon on Loyal’s Main Street
Debi Suda never really expected to ever start and own a business in Loyal. But after a personal project to maintain her connection to her hometown led her to one of the city’s historic buildings on Main Street, she and her family decided to create something that would benefit the Loyal community.
In a few more months, the main level at 230 North Main Street will be home to The Fitness Room, a workout and exercise facility. The new business will be the first in that location in more than 30 years — the last business owned there was the IGA Supermarket operated during the
1980s. “(It) was once the old IGA Supermarket owned and operated by the Fulwiler family,” said Suda. “They relocated the store in the 1980s and that main level has been vacant until I purchased the property in December 2018.”
Just how Suda came to own the place came about a short time before the end of 2018. Currently residing in the Twin Cities, she said she was originally seeking a place for her family to stay when they visited her relatives who live in Loyal. Historical buildings always had an appeal to her, so in her search she focused on finding something matching her desires. The building at 230 North Main Street is what she found.
“What led me to the idea of The Fitness Room actually stems from my original vision and personal motivation just to buy a piece of property for my family to stay at when we come back for visits,” she said. “I enjoy the stories of old buildings, so I started my search of a building with good bones that needed some renovation work. I found and purchased The Loyal House property in December 2018 and began the renovation phase with the first demolition in January 2019.”
Starting with the apartment rooms upstairs, Suda soon began to realize she had something more here. Word got around the community that she had purchased the building — renaming it The Loyal House — and was making improvements to it. People began asking if a new business was one of them.
“The plan was to renovate just the apartments upstairs and then later on tackle the main street level little by little,” she said. “That evolved when there was a lot of inquiry, interest and excitement from the community as to what was going to be happening with that main level. With the help of my Loyal family the brainstorming began as to what the community wanted and needed. I really had no plans of starting a new business … but am certainly thrilled at the outcome thus far and happy to create something good and promising for the community.”
Currently, Suda said workers are renovating the main level of the building to restore it back to its original 1904 look, yet update its systems to modern standards. Some interior demolition work has been done and new HVAC, electrical, plumbing, lighting and beams have all been installed. The building’s original floor and tin ceiling, she said, are also being restored.
“The Loyal House is in the final stages of being fully renovated and I’m excited that it is being brought back to its beautiful 1904 history of character and charm,” she said. “I am extremely proud of the design and the renovation being so cohesive with the functionality of The Fitness Room business while keeping with the integrity of The Loyal House building.”
Though there is no timeframe for when the work will be done and The Fitness Room opened, Suda said she expects the fitness equipment to begin arriving later this spring and for the facility to open some time afterwards. The Fitness Room itself, she said, will be a members’ only fitness club for anyone aged 18 and older. Those with a membership will be allowed unlimited access to the facility through keyless entry from Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.
“The Fitness Room is a members’ only fitness club and will be managed and operated locally in Loyal as well as remotely from the Twin Cities,” she said. “There is a security system that will monitor the building and the business around the clock. The Fitness Room is a fitness facility that includes cardio equipment, strength equipment and a separate studio area. Multitude of amenities include security system, TVs, wifi, open lockers, gym mirrors and a fitness floor.” Throughout the whole process, Suda said her family has been very supportive and involved. From brainstorming to creating a concrete vision of what The Fitness Room space should be, she said the entire project would not have come to pass without them.
“I am thankful for my two daughters who have always been involved with fitness but also work corporate business and have given me some expert advice and great direction,” she said. “I’m just so thankful for their creativity and unending support. Regarding the renovation, I simply could not have tackled this project without the enormous help of my family and my extended family. They’re probably the most integral part of this whole entire project.”
As for the community, Suda said from what she’s heard so far, people are excited for the new exercise facility.
“It’s a pleasant surprise to hear all the positive feedback and interest from both the young and older generations,” she said. “I am delighted to have the opportunity to be a small part of health and wellness and it will be rewarding to see it come to fruition. Looking forward to The Fitness Room filling a niche in the market of fitness for the community and hoping to help create an active lifestyle for many.”
“The plan was to renovate just the apartments upstairs and then later on tackle the main street level little by little. That evolved when there was a lot of inquiry, interest and excitement from the community as to what was going to be happening with that main level.” -- The Fitness Room owner Debi Suda
The building on the east side of Loyal’s Main Street that housed the Loyal IGA store until the 1980s will reopen soon as The Fitness Room.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
