The Watertown Mall, the City of Watertown and the Watertown Development Company are pleased to announce that a new key tenant will be locating in the Watertown Mall soon.

Planet Fitness, known for its “Judgement Free Zone” slogan, plans to open a location in the former Office Max space in 2019.

Watertown Mayor Sarah Caron was pleased to finally hear the news from the mall owners. “I know that the owners have been working on this deal for quite a while and I am happy to see the evidence that the mall is on the rise!” stated Caron.

Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States.

National real estate firm Lexington Realty International out of New Jersey specializes in purchasing, leasing, developing and managing of commercial real estate and arranged the lease with Planet Fitness for the Watertown Mall owners, GJ Properties LLC.  Scott Snitker, National Portfolio Manager for Lexington Realty International said, “We are very pleased with the relationship we have cultivated with Planet Fitness and feel that they are not only a great fit for the mall property, but the community as a whole. They offer a workout environment that will fill a need the community currently does not have.”

The fitness club joins many other entertainment and food service businesses across the country that have been taking on leases nationwide left unsigned by legacy retailers.

“We know that this is the first step of many to come in the rebuilding of the Watertown Mall. We believe in this community and will continue to build until we have an end product everyone can be proud of.  As mentioned, this is a major step in that direction,” said Snitker. He added, “We would also like to thank the mayor for her continued support and ease to work with the city government.”

The leasing of the space to Planet Fitness shows that the Watertown Mall is “on the right track,” said Chris Schilken, Executive Director of the Watertown Development Company. “With a national tenant selecting Watertown as the desired location for expanding their respective business, this is a win-win-win for the city, the tenants and the Watertown Mall,” he said. “This transaction is encouraging and shows that the mall owners continue to be committed to the Watertown Mall.”

After the 2019 opening of the new location in Watertown, SD., this will be the fitness center’s 3rd South Dakota location.

Planet Fitness was founded in 1992 in Dover, N.H. and is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisers and operators of fitness centers in the United States by number of members and locations.