Madison Athletic Club closes without warning; members concerned over refunds

Madison Heights club members greeted by note on front door informing them Athletic Club is closed

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – A short, unemotional note was tacked to the front door thanking everyone for 34 great years.

White paper tacked onto the Madison Athletic Club's window glass was the only notice club members, and the employees, received.

The doors at the club closed Tuesday night, for good. Many MAC members found out on Facebook overnight and early Wednesday morning.

"My first thought was, 'Oh my gosh, this is horrible.' You know, because obviously we just joined. My second thought was, 'Oh my gosh, I paid in full,'" said now-former club member Jennifer Fox, of Royal Oak.

Read more: The MAC won't be back

Fox bought a discounted full-year membership for her husband on Mother's Day. She spent more than $400. The couple's new baby Mia turns 6 months old next week. That's the age which their daycare will take really young children and the couple was intending to get a serious workout schedule going.

"How do you close and not tell anybody?" Fox said. "And not being a member is one thing. We can get a membership at another gym, but being out of money is another thing. But what about the trainers there?"

Three-year member Amanda Gherke hadn't checked Facebook and came ready to work up a sweat Wednesday afternoon.

Instead, Gherke found other gym reps from all over town posting discounted membership at their gyms.

"They had my charge card and billed me every month on my card, you know?" said Gherke. "What now? I guess I've got to find another place to workout and make sure they're still not charging my card."

There has been no word from the Madison Athletic Club about returning money. Local 4 contacted Groupon and they said they were unaware of the gym closing and said any of the 130 people who bought the discounted memberships on Wednesday will get a full refund from Groupon.

It is not clear what might happen to the money of those who paid for the full year.


About the Author:

Rod Meloni is an Emmy Award-winning Business Editor on Local 4 News and a Certified Financial Plannerâ„¢ Professional.