'Enough Is Enough:' Jersey Shore Gym Owner On Mass Reopening Plan

Update: Governor Phil Murphy did not give a precise date Monday for the reopening of gyms and health clubs. He announced that several businesses could open June 15 (outdoor dining and in-person retail) and June 22 (salons and barber shops). Murphy said gyms and health clubs would follow.

Chris Lambert told Patch that the New Jersey Business Coalition will continue to keep fighting.

JERSEY SHORE, NJ — Chris Lambert feels he might hear news soon from when his businesses and other New Jersey gyms can reopen. But the state's coronavirus orders that forced many small businesses to close have already done enough damage, he says.

Lambert owns Atilis Gym in Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Wildwood and Egg Harbor Township. He is one of the founders of the "New Jersey Business Coalition Opening 6/1/2020" Facebook group, which has organized shuttered businesses to reopen Monday.

Although many reopened, Lambert kept his businesses closed Monday for a specific reason. A peaceful protest in Atlantic City for the murder of George Floyd gave way to crime and looting. Read more: Peaceful George Floyd Protest Gives Way To Crime In Atlantic City

The former Lower Township police officer noted that several surrounding police agencies assisted the Atlantic City Police Department. With more protests planned around New Jersey and in his area, Lambert chose not to put an extra burden on law enforcement Monday by reopening.

Organizing the coalition began with a few gym owners in March who wanted to set guidelines to safely operate their gyms. The group has grown to include other "non-essential" businesses, such as salons, that needed to close because of the coronavirus.

After months of efforts to reopen legally, Lambert says they have "exhausted every avenue." Businesses around New Jersey planned a mass reopening around New Jersey, defying Governor Phil Murphy's orders.

"He has allowed Walmart, Lowe’s, Target, Home Depot, all these big-box stores to stay open," Lambert told Patch on Monday. "He has forced all of us New Jersey residents to go there. We’re all packed into these stores. There’s no social distancing. Everybody’s picking up fruits and vegetables, putting them down, smelling them, taking their masks off. That’s the worst."

Stories of Struggle

A woman who owns a fitness studio contacted Lambert a week ago. She said she and her husband are considering divorce because they've fought so much during the difficult times.

She hides her car in the garage because she hasn't made a payment in five months. Her daughter is mad at her because she must transfer from Cabrini College to community college.

"She goes, ‘I have no money. Do you know where I have to get food? The dollar store,'" Lambert said.

Tommy Trivilas, another gym owner and group founder, has listed several considerations for safety measures when reopening, such as giving gym goers spray bottles with sanitizer, putting UV sterilizing lamps in the ductwork and keeping occupancy at 20 percent of the maximum capacity.

"My main concern is my customers," Trilivas said. "Why wouldn't I have a clean environment to come into?" Related article: Ocean City Gym Owner Leads Movement To Open Businesses Monday

'Not All About the Money'

Lambert and the coalition have had several conversations with George Helmy, Murphy's chief of staff.

"George, great guy," Lambert said. "I have to tell you, during our conversations, I was mad at him, I was pissed off at him, because he always told me the truth. He didn’t tell me what I wanted to hear. He didn’t give me a bullshit story."

They last spoke Friday, Lambert says. Based off their conversations, Lambert feels confident more businesses will receive word on a reopening date Monday or Tuesday.

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State officials have received polarizing reactions to coronavirus restrictions from the public-health and financial standpoints. That has extended to federal politicians, who have received criticism for not helping people and small businesses enough through coronavirus relief packages.

But the coalition has focused most of their efforts on reopening, rather than receiving additional funds, Lambert says.

"I can’t say that we’re putting a lot of emphasis on additional funding because that’s just something that we don’t know about," Lambert said. "We don’t have that much expertise. What we do know about is gyms. What we do know is that gyms are essential."

Lambert says he has countless stories that have made gym ownership a rewarding experience. A patron with diabetes joined his gym and then told Lambert he was able to get off his medication within a year.

Another woman brought a young man in with special needs. The man made significant progress, working out an hour daily and feeling good about himself.

Then the gym closed.

"Just when he was starting to get really good, we had to close down," Lambert said. "His mom has been calling me every week, and she’s almost crying on the phone, saying, ‘Chris, he’s going back to the way he was.’"

A United Opening

Lambert sold the building for Atilis Gym in Bellmawr about eight months ago. The gym has made national headlines after owners Ian Smith and Frank Trumbetti opened several times, defying Murphy's orders.

Smith and Trumbetti were part of the coalition's discussions on reopening. Then they decided to reopen on their own, splitting from a united decision. They have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state's "Draconian" shelter-in-place executive orders. Read more: South Jersey Gym Owners That Defied Murphy's Order File Lawsuit

"Almost every gym owner and myself do not agree with what they did," Lambert said. "They went out on their own for, some people feel attention, some people even feel money. They obviously went on their own."

Many businesses in the coalition opened Monday as part of the group's plan. Some have posted their openings in the public Facebook group, despite the possibility of facing legal trouble.

But Lambert remains a leader in the movement to reopen. New Jersey has reported 160,445 coronavirus cases and 11,698 deaths from the virus as of 1 p.m. Monday. But New Jersey continues to see declining numbers in new cases.

"I think the governor is going to make the right decision," Lambert said. "I think this governor understands enough is enough."

Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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