The owners of JoyRide Westport Amy Hochhauser and Rhodie Lorenz have announced that they have decided to close the spin studio's doors effective Friday, September 2. Westport was the very first spin studio that the entrepreneurs opened - eleven years ago.
JoyRide's Wilton studio closed in 2020 after operating for five years at 3 Godfrey Place. The Ridgefield studio also closed in 2020. During the height of COVID, JoyRide opened an outdoor "pop up" studio, giving the Darien community the gift of taking outdoor classes.
The past few years have been anything but easy for small businesses and we thank Amy and Rhodie for giving it their all and providing Westporters a community where they can sweat it out and have fun.
When the Westport studio closes in September, JoyRide New Haven will be the only remaining studio open.
Below, please read a heartfelt note from Amy and Rhodie.
It’s with great sadness that we announce the closing of JoyRide Westport on Friday, Sept. 2.
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.
Westport was our first studio and will always hold a special place in our hearts. Over the past 11 years, we’ve welcomed over 30,000 riders and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for various charitable organizations. Together we formed an incredible community – our beloved JoyFamily – with whom we’ve shared the ups and downs of life. We take comfort in knowing that many of these friendships will last a lifetime.
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. We hope to pop-up again in some form in the coming months. So, stay tuned. In the meantime, remember…Life’s a trip. Enjoy the Ride!
With deep gratitude, love and JOY.
** We're offering a UNLIMITED LAST HURRAH PACKAGE - $99 for anyone who wants to get in as many JoyRide's before the doors close on 9/2. We will also be running a special goodbye ride followed by happy (sad) hour on 9/2 at 5pm. Details to follow!**
Purchase a Last Hurrah package HERE.
*Image courtesy JoyRide Facebook Page