Hackettstown's Jazzercise 'Went Above And Beyond' During Pandemic

LONG VALLEY NJ — The coronavirus pandemic has presented challenges for most local businesses, but that hasn't stopped many from continuing to offer the products and services beloved by their regular customers.

One of those businesses is Jazzercise of Hackettstown.

The business was nominated by Patch readers as a business of the year for managing to navigate the turbulence with steadfast determination and an unwavering commitment to the clients they serve.

"When COVID hit in March and the governor closed the gyms, Kelly Shea (the franchise owner) went above and beyond to make sure her customers could still get their workouts," Michelle Gustavson told Patch. "She started having on-line classes that her customers could access on-line."

According to their website, Jazzercise Hackettstown Fitness Center in Hackettstown offers group fitness classes for all levels. Classes incorporate HIIT cardio dance moves with strength training for the ultimate full-body workout that can slay wellness goals.

But it wasn't so much the slaying as the friendly and caring staff that customer Maggie Bocchino mentioned. And Jaemma Pisani agreed.

"Amazing place for women to feel supported and worn up a sweat in the time of COVID-19," she told Patch. "Great ladies and even better workout."

For her part, Samantha Quick noted that Jazzercise of Hackettstown kept her spirits up by switching their classes to Facebook live virtual classes.

"It wasn't the same being at home, but seeing the instructors' happy faces made my day. Even though they couldn't see us on the other end and they were filming by themselves, they had the same enthusiasm and encouragement that they always provide in person. Before and after the virtual classes they always took a few minutes to read our comments in the chat and talk with us as if we were there. That connection kept me going through the pandemic," she said. "Kelly knows her students miss in person class so she started offering outdoor team taught classes on Saturdays as soon as the governor allowed it. And she was right on top of getting set up for in door classes. Kelly did everything she could to keep us on track with our exercise. Jazzercise of Hackettstown kept me motivated to exercise which not only helped me stay physically fit, but aided in my mental health."

And it was that effort, amid the pandemic, that customers told Patch they appreciated most.

"When the world was falling apart around us, Kelly was able to bring back a sense of normalcy to our lives," Gustavson said.

Have a business you would like to see in a special spotlight? As a Patch reader, you can nominate a Local Businesses of the Year.

Please tell us the name of the business, where it is located, why it deserves to be recognized and what specific actions have earned your allegiance. Please be as specific as possible, as your comments may be included in a Patch feature article about the local business.

You can nominate any local business you feel should be recognized. That includes retail stores, restaurants, hardware shops, dry cleaners, plumbers, car mechanics, salons and more. You can even nominate the business you work for if you feel they've gone above and beyond in helping their employees through this uncharted time.

Patch will feature nominated businesses in December.

Please submit your nomination by Dec. 10.

Additionally, if you are a local business owner who would like to share more information about your services and offerings, sign up to be included in Patch's free Local Business Information Center.

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store.