David Barton Gym Accused Of Failing To Refund Customers After Abrupt Closure

NEW YORK, NY — New York is suing the parent company of the high-end David Barton Gym after the chain abruptly closed its doors in December and allegedly failed to refund customers for services paid for in advance.

New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman announced the lawsuit on Wednesday morning. The four David Barton Gym locations in New York City unexpectedly shuttered their doors on Dec. 21, with no advance warning to customers, Schneiderman's office said in a statement. The lawsuit alleges that many of the gyms' 5,000 members had paid hundreds or thousands of dollars in advance to belong to the gym and for training sessions. One gym-goer said he had shelled out more than $15,000, according to Schneiderman's office.

The trendy chain, which is owned by Club Ventures Investments, changed the locks on the doors of its four NYC locations without warning any of its customers, the suit alleges, and customers showed up to workout on Dec. 21 to find locked doors and sign that the gyms were closed. Club Ventures also closed locations in Boston, Miami, Chicago, and Bellevue. The clubs later filed for bankruptcy.

In New York City, the upscale David Barton Gyms had two locations in Greenwich Village, one in Chelsea and one in the Upper East Side. The lawsuit is seeking restitution for all customers.

If you were a member of David Barton Gym and believe you're owed a refund, you can file a complaint online here.

Image via Creative Commons.