Roof Collapse Forces Bethel Businesses to Vacate

On  Monday, Jan. 31, Bethel Patch reported a in the vacant portion of the Hoya Lense Building at 13 Francis J. Clarke Circle.

Since then, the building has suffered worse damage that took a toll on many Bethel businesses in the building late last week, including Private Studio Personal Training, The EDGE Performance Training Center and Gymnastics Revolution. 

Though a majority of the damage remained in the vacant portion of the building, all the businesses have been forced to vacate the building.

Dan Gaita, owner of Private Studio Personal Training‎, said after the initial damage, the snow was not cleared off the roof and the damage finally gave way, pulling the walls in. Gaita said there is still fear of a chain reaction going down the rest of the building. No injuries were reported during the incident.

Both Gaita and Keith Dayo, owner of The EDGE Performance Training, said had the snow been removed, there may not have been as much damage.

"It was unfortunate the way the building was kept and that this had to happen," Dayo said. "But we're not worried, though it was a bit deflating having to take a part our business in a very short time. We're just glad no one got hurt...We have good clients and we're a good family business and everyone is reaching out to us."

Gaita said he reached out to gym who "didn't hesitate" to help. "They said bring your clients here...They're even letting me do personal training there for free," he said. 

Private Studio Personal Training is now moving to a location on Greenwood Avenue (exact location has yet to be determined) and Gaita said he hoped to reopen by April.

Dayo said, while looking for a new space, EDGE is working with the Connecticut Sports Arena in New Milford and with the Bethel Parks and Recreation department, but gym time often limited. However, according to Dayo, EDGE often works with clients at their homes or other areas.

"[With extra travel and gas] our costs are going to go up a little bit," Dayo said. "We're going to try to keep our (new) location in the Danbury/Bethel area. We're looking for a space that's comperable to what we had and what's affordable."

Dayo said EDGE may not reopen till fall or winter of this year, but after the winter, much of the training will be outside like it has done in previous years. Since its phone line is down, Dayo said people may reach EDGE by calling or e-mailing him at 845-527-0183 or keithdeyo@hotmail.com.

Gymnastics Revolution has removed its equipment out of 13 Francis J. Clarke Circle. According to a representative from Gymnastics Revolutions, owner Brian Bakalar, is currently looking for a new location in the Danbury/Bethel area. Now in the middle of competition season, its team now practices at Next Dimension Gymnastics in Trumbull.

"I really feel for the kids, it's a second home for many of them. Brian was proactive...did every proper measure that a [sub-letter] could do," Gaita said. "The community, the families and the clients [of all the businesses] have been fantastic. It had made it far less painful that it could have been."

Editor's Note: The original article referred to Brian Bakalar as the landlord of 13 Francis J. Clarke Circle building. This is incorrect, as Bakalar was a sub-letter to EGDE and Private Studio Personal Training.