10:30 a.m.Four months after the sudden closure of the Lady of America gym at the River Park Shopping Center, the fitness center has reopened with a new location, different owner and new facility. 

In mid-October, Lady of America members arrived at the Imola Street gym to discover its doors locked and closed signs posted.

Former franchise owner Laura Dayton had fallen behind on the rent at the River Park location and was evicted by property management company Shelter Bay Retail Group.

“We were caught unaware and very embarrassed to have Laura Dayton close under the circumstances she did,” said Gerry Weber, president and CEO of Lady of America Franchise Corporation.

Dayton is no longer a Lady of America franchise owner. 

“Our priority has been to work with the members,” Weber said.

“We are mending fences with our members and spending a lot of time with people who were patient enough with us to reopen,” said Weber. About 1,100 of the 1,300 members from the River Park location remain Lady of America members, he said.

Shortly after the closure, local gym owners Matt Kathol and Kim Rassmussen bought the franchise, but later decided not to continue ownership.

Then, Meghann Pierce and Richard Von Saal then stepped forward to become the new Lady of America franchise owners.  

Leasing space at 1850 Soscol, Pierce and Von Saal have remodeled and reopened the new fitness center. 

Pierce, with her background in fitness, dance and massage, previously worked at other gyms in the Bay Area.

Napan Von Saal, an industrial designer, used to own Mixers restaurants in Napa and St. Helena.

“We came up with idea to design a complete wellness club for Napa,” said Von Saal, a place for women to “take care of yourself from the inside out,” he said.

Their fitness club concept goes beyond traditional aerobics classes and weight machines.

Von Saal has designed a juice bar which will serve up healthy snacks and drinks. The center will also offer esthetics, massage and salon services.

“This is very unique, new atmosphere for women in gyms,” he said. 

Lady of America executives had hoped to reopen in January, but construction delays pushed that date back.

“We’re disappointed it has taken as long as it has to reopen but I think the wait was worth it,” said Weber. The new fitness center on Soscol, “puts the Imola facility to shame.”

The gym features PRECOR cardio machines, a circuit area, free weight area, dance classes such as dance fusion, zumba, belly, salsa, samba, women’s wellness retreats and monthly workshops, after hours socials, guest speakers, personal training services, and new sauna and locker rooms with showers and two spa rooms. A full service hair salon and day spa will open across the hall by April. 

A large day care facility will offer with mommy-and-me dance/gymnastics classes, puppet shows, and other kid-friendly events.

“We want to create a positive environment where women feel comfortable working out, enjoy themselves and feel well within,” said Pierce.