Club South members locked out

BOARDMAN — Club South members arrived Wednesday expecting to work out but found a locked door and a sign telling them the club is closed because of a temporary restraining order.

Thomas Devlin tried to open the inside door of the Tiffany Boulevard health club about 2:30 p.m. for his regular workout.

“I checked my e-mail twice before I came, and they do e-mail when they want to sell me something,” he said.

But there was no word about the closure, Devlin said.

John Giannios, landlord for Club South, hopes the fitness center will reopen soon, with or without the current owner.

Giannios said he’s already speaking with others about operating the club, which was shut by court order Tuesday. The interest is high, said Giannios, also owns Giannios Candy in Struthers and Youngstown Skate, which is next to Club South.

The club operator, Lance Owens, also could reopen the business but would need liability insurance, Giannios said. Owens could not be reached to comment.

Giannios went to court Tuesday, saying that Owens didn’t have insurance. Without insurance, Giannios said he was responsible for any injuries.

Giannios received a temporary restraining order that prevents Owens from operating the business until a March 3 court hearing.

“I feel bad for all those members, but there’s nothing I can do,” Giannios said.

Giannios also has filed a lawsuit seeking $1.8 million from Owens for unpaid rent and other charges. The rent, which is $10,782 a month, and other charges date back to a lease Owens signed with a previous landlord in 2005, the lawsuit says.

Read more in Thursday’s Vindicator and at Vindy.com