24 The QUEE NS Courier • MAY 5, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com Queens’ Sports Authority stores will stay open amid financial turmoil By Anthony Giudice agiudice@qns.com/@A_GiudiceReport Sports Authority is down for the count, but not out. Recent reports from Fortune and other media outlets indicate that the sporting goods giant could close down all 463 locations nationwide — including two in Queens — in the near future, much more than the 140 locations they planned on closing back in March, but the company is refuting these claims. According to Sports Authority’s corporate customer service headquarters, the chain is not closing down all of its stores. The company will go forward with closing down a number of locations, but not all of them. Representatives of the store located at 73-25 Woodhaven Blvd. in Glendale also denied the claims, stating that the store is remaining open. The other Queens Sports Authority at 51-30 Northern Blvd. in Woodside will also remain in operation. Sports Authority filed for Chapter 11 protection in federal bankruptcy court in Delaware. Under Sports Authority claims reports of the chain closing all 463 locations are false. this protection, Sports Authority planned to reorganize the company, but has since decided to put itself up for auction where almost all of its assets will be for sale, scheduled for Monday, May 16, according to Fortune. The auction could see interested buyers purchase THE COURIER/Photo by Anthony Giudice certain Sports Authority locations, but it is unlikely that they would keep the brand name. The company’s financial adviser told Bloomberg News that current takeover offers hardly cover the $100 million in administration and liquidation costs, let alone the $1.1 billion of debt Sports Authority BAYSIDE AND RIDGEWOOD LUCILLE ROBERTS GYMS CLOSING By Katarina Hybenova khybenova@qns.com/@kamelka Queens women interested in staying healthy and in shape are losing two Lucille Roberts gyms. Members of Lucille Roberts locations at 55-05 Myrtle Ave. in Ridgewood and at 41-19 Bell Blvd. in Bayside received a letter stating that as of May 20, both locations will be closing. A Lucille Roberts employee told The Courier on the phone that the lease of both locations are expiring and the rent is getting increased. It seems, however, the numbers simply aren’t adding up, and both gyms have to close, according to the employee. “I thought we were doing well, but I guess we’re not,” the employee said. Members of both locations received a free upgrade to platinum membership and are now able to use any gyms in New York and New Jersey. Members who wish to discontinue their memberships can call 212-734-9717 or do so on the Lucille Roberts website. The gym chain’s other Queens locations in Astoria, Flushing, Forest Hills and Jamaica are staying open. The Courier reached out to Lucille Roberts for a comment and is awaiting a response. Photo courtesy Lucille Roberts Fairway files for bankruptcy, but Douglaston market stays open By Katarina Hybenova khybenova@qns.com/@kamelka Despite a bankruptcy filing, grocery chain Fairway Market will keep its Douglaston location and other stores open for business. Rumors about Fairway Market’s financial perils were correct. The grocery chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday, May 2, in a New York court, reported CNBC. According to reports, Fairway had been losing money every quarter since it went public in 2013. The Manhattan-based Fairway said in a statement that they have reached an agreement with their senior lenders and they plan to reduce their debt by about $140 million through the restructuring — all the while retaining jobs and maintaining the normal course of business without interruption. A customer service employee at the Douglaston location (242-02 61st Ave.) said that her manager told employees this morning about the bankruptcy. The staff were assured that their jobs are safe, and the store will remain open. There are 14 other Fairway locations in New York City, but the Douglaston store is the only one in Queens. Photo courtesy Fairway Market Douglaston
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