Westport Spinning Studio JoyRide To Close Sept. 2

WESTPORT, CT — JoyRide, which has spinning studios in Westport and New Haven, is closing its Westport location on Sept. 2, a casualty of the coronavirus, the owner announced last week on Facebook.

"It’s with great sadness that we announce the closing of JoyRide Westport on Friday, Sept. 2," owners Amy Hochhauser and Rhodie Lorenz, both from Westport, wrote. "The past 2 ½ years have been an incredible struggle for many folks – and as small business owners in the fitness sector, we’ve been hit particularly hard. Although we were able to survive many of the twists and turns related to the pandemic, unfortunately, our industry failed to receive enough government aid and the business is simply unable to overcome the substantial losses incurred during Covid and the related studio closures."

Due to the close nature of patrons in gyms and spinning studios, those businesses were first forced to close during the early months of the pandemic, and then operate under heavy restrictions when allowed to re-open.

JoyRide opened in Westport in the summer of 2011 on the Post Road East, as one of the town's first spinning-only studios. Though the Westport location is closing, the New Haven studio will remain open, according to the owners.

At one point, the chain had five spinning studios in the state, reported the Westport News.

"We hope JoyRide Westport is remembered for its core values: Inclusivity, Positivity, Community, Teamwork and Giving Back. Our goal has always been to build a place that would allow individuals to come together through fitness and build strength to live BIG JOYFUL lives. We still believe deeply in these pillars, and we hope that the JoyCommunity carries them forward as they face the many challenges of life.

"To our Westport Team - past and present - thank you from the bottom of our hearts. From our instructors to desk staff to our landlord, we’ve been so incredibly lucky to work with the best in the business. Without you all, there would have been no JOY in the Ride. Your talent, passion and commitment made us better each day. We were so lucky to share this space with you all.

"We thank you all for joining us on this epic adventure. We will cherish the incredible memories and we will miss you beyond measure."

The owners said they hope "to pop-up again in some form" sometime in the near future, and were offering specials for the final weeks.