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Blink Fitness, Equinox-owned gym chain, files for bankruptcy
Blink Fitness, an affordable gym chain owned by Equinox aimed at making “every body” feel welcome, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company said Monday. The announcement comes as the company struggles to draw throngs of fitness enthusiasts back to its gym in a post-pandemic world.
Blink has long positioned itself as a welcoming and inclusive fitness chain for the masses with a focus on “democratizing fitness for all,” according to the announcement. Chapter 11 bankruptcy was determined to be the “best path forward” for the chain,” Blink president and CEO Guy Harkless said in a statement. The move is aimed at facilitating a sale process in order to “position the business for long-term success.”
Blink members will be able to continue utilizing fitness centers through the sale process, the company said.
The company is also taking steps to “reinvigorate” its most popular gyms. “After evaluating our options, the Board and management team determined that using the court-supervised process to optimize the Company’s footprint and effectuate a sale of the business is the best path forward for Blink and will help ensure Blink remains the destination for all people seeking an inclusive, community-focused gym,” Harkless said.
Blink has also obtained $21 million in new debtor-in-possession financing from current lenders, the company said, which will be used to maintain operations during the sale process.
Blink operates more than 100 locations across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Texas.
Blink parent company Equinox holdings also operates luxury Equinox gyms across the U.S., where a membership can run as much as $40,000 a year.
Blink competitors 24 Hour Fitness, Gold’s Gym, and Town Sports International have also been forced into bankruptcy, citing COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on operations.
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NEW YORK — Drones have been banned from flying over several New Jersey towns, the Federal Aviation Administration confirms to CBS News.
The FAA order covers nearly two dozen towns, including Jersey City, Harrison, Edison, Bayonne and Camden. It will be in effect until Jan. 17.
The order says no unmanned aircraft can operate below 400 feet within one nautical mile of the airspace specified in each area. Additionally, it allows the government to use “deadly force” against the drones if they pose an “imminent security threat.”
“Pilots of aircraft that do not adhere to the procedures in the national security requirements for aircraft operations contained in this section may be intercepted, and/or detained and interviewed by federal, state, or local law enforcement or other government personnel,” the order reads in part.
Several of the zones are centered around infrastructure, like power substations. Others cover areas like the Kearny, New Jersey port and airspace around military installations like Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in South Jersey, or airports such as Newark-Liberty International Airport.
Earlier this month, the Florham Park, New Jersey police chief told residents drone sightings had been reported above “water reservoirs, electric transmission lines, rail stations, police departments, and military installations.”
Where are drones banned in New Jersey?
North Jersey:
- Cedar Grove
- Bridgewater
- North Brunswick
- Metuchen
- South Brunswick
- Edison
- Branchburg
- Sewaren
- Jersey City
- Harrison, Essex County
- Elizabeth
- Bayonne
- Clifton
- Kearny
Central Jersey:
South Jersey:
- Burlington
- Evesham
- Camden
- Gloucester City
- Westampton
- Winslow
- Hancocks Bridge, Salem County
See the full order from the FAA here.
Mysterious drones over New Jersey and beyond
Drones sightings have been reported all month long, first over Morris County, New Jersey and then over several other East Coast states.
Federal, state and local officials have been demanding more information about where they are coming from and what’s being done to stop them. The FBI is leading the investigation and tells CBS News it has received thousands of tips.
While the White House says there is no known threat, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy recently sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking for more federal resources.
On Wednesday, a push from Sen. Chuck Schumer to give local law enforcement more ways to track drones was blocked in the Senate.
Check back soon for the latest updates on this developing story.
contributed to this report.
