As a way to reintroduce Good-Bodies and other small businesses to area people, Blake Cates, manager of Good-Bodies, and co-owners Ed Smith and Justin Tart, came up with a plan: Good-bodies would host a floating Open House from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 1.

“Minges Bottling Group is sponsoring the Open House,” Blake told me. “We are going to have a number of vendors. Good-Bodies will be offering free tee-shirts, a free three-day pass to the gym – and the first month free for all new members.”

Other vendors will include Emery’s Sweets, which features special order cupcakes; Ezzell Mortgage, a financial institution; Paparazzi Independent Consultants, a jewelry dealer; Zyia Active, a sports clothing line, and M&D gifts.

“We may add two or three more, as space and interest permit,” Blake said. The purpose is simple.

“We want to bring the community together,” she told me. “We want to let people know we are here – and here in a safe environment.” She is hoping the Open House will reawaken interest in the goods and services of locally-owned small businesses.

Small businesses have suffered greatly during the pandemic.

For two months, Good-Bodies was one of the area’s small businesses closed due to COVID-19. That period marked two months of lost income – as well as a loss of staff. Ed Smith, one of the owners, even sued Gov. Roy Cooper for closing gyms, arguing that under the mental and physical health provisions in the law, his gym should be allowed to stay open. The governor relented, and the gym opened on a limited basis, according Blake.

During the time of the closure, this fitness center went through extensive deep cleaning. According to Blake, safety has become a prime concern. Three times each day, the staff wipes down every piece of equipment with disinfectant. Gym members are carefully counted in and out. Each person entering for a workout is provided cloths and disinfectant to wipe down equipment – before and after a workout. Each person is required to use hand sanitizer when entering the gym – and when leaving it.

“Our employees take their responsibilities seriously,” Blake said. “They understand more deeply the need for respectful social distancing, and they have assumed greater responsibility for the safety of the members.”

The COVID-19 hit at an especially inopportune moment. Ed Smith and Justin Tart had just purchased the gym from the previous owners who ran Build-A-Body. In fact, I wrote a column in January about returning to Kinston from Myrtle Beach and seeing a different name on the gym I attended.

Ed and Justin sunk a good deal of money into updating the equipment in Good-Bodies. Just about the time they had everything state of the art, COVID-19 hit, shutting them down.

Little by little, Good-Bodies has found a way to allow people to work out safely. Whereas classes were once large, now classes number no more than eight to 10 to provide space for social distancing. At present, Good-Bodies offers Zumba, Body Blast, and Pilates Yoga classes.

One of the draws of Good-Bodies is 24-hour access to the facility and its equipment. Every member is issued a card the member can swipe to unlock the door.

“A person can come for a workout any time day or night,” Blake said.

But the Sept. 1 Open House is more than a promotion for Good-Bodies. Blake is hoping to turn a spotlight on other small businesses that have suffered through the economic downturn brought on by the pandemic.

She asked me to emphasize one point: “You – all of you – are invited,” she said.

Block off 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Sept. 1 for the Open House. You will be glad you did – and so will the participating businesses. If you need more information, call (252) 523-0660.

Mike Parker is a columnist for Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.