Committee Supports Boutique Gym to Open at Ralphs Plaza

The Chatsworth Neighborhood Council's Land Use Committee voiced its support Thursday for a boutique gym to move into a more than decade-long empty building inside the Ralphs shopping center at Devonshire Street and Canoga Avenue.

The plaza's leasing agent, Robin Bahlla, addressed the committee and said that 24-hour chain Anytime Fitness wants to operate a 5,000-square-foot facility.

He said several other well-known businesses, like Sharky's Woodfired Mexican Grill, have expressed interest in moving to the shopping center, which remains 40 percent unoccupied, if the gym moves in.

"We see this as a catalyst...this could be a turnaround," Bahlla said.

He added that because of the gym's small size, there would be around 10 people at a time using the facility on average, a statistic that quelled parking concerns shared by committee member Andre van der Valk, who wants to see the vacant property filled.

"I don't think we can get hurt, we have to try something," van der Valk said.

Bahlla said Anytime Fitness memberships range between $29.99 and $42 a month with additional fees for a hired personal trainer.

Another statistic he pointed out was that the gym's location in Tarzana averaged about 32 visits per day.

The matter now moves to the neighborhood council's board of directors, which will vote on recommending the business to the city for approval.