BLOOMINGTON - Another business fell victim to the economy this weekend. Lady Wellness Fitness & Spa, at the corner of GE and Towanda Barnes roads in east Bloomington, closed after hours Sunday because of economic reasons, said developer and co-owner Larry Bielfeldt.

"The business was a wonderful business," Bielfeldt said Monday. "We hated to close it."

All employees will be paid their final payments, and members will be reimbursed for their memberships and gift certificates, Bielfeldt said. The center has about 30 workers.

The all-women's fitness center and spa had about 735 members but needed between 1,100 and 1,200 members to sustain operation, he said. A monthly membership cost about $45, he said.

"The economy just wouldn't allow people to indulge in very, very nice things like that," Bielfeldt said.

Bielfeldt also has ownership interest in neighboring businesses, including the Parke Hotel & Conference Center and Anytime Fitness, both of which he said are doing well. He plans to add an annex to the new hotel, though work is on hold because of the economy.

He plans to lease or sell the 10,500-square foot fitness building.

Employees and members of the club were surprised and disappointed to learn of the business' closure.

Instructors like Dafne Greene and Tricia Todd launched their fall programs just on Saturday.

"It takes us instructors about three weeks to prepare for that," Todd said. "It was great. Everybody was all pumped up."

Some commission-based employees were concerned Monday because their personal supplies were locked inside. Staff will be available today for people to collect their belongings, Bielfeldt said.

Jessie Borth, a massage therapist and nail technician, has about $1,000 worth of equipment in the center, including her massage table, massage stones and nail supplies. Nail technician Alicia Hernandez was in the same boat, unable to keep her scheduled appointments, as well.

"Right now, I have no idea what I'm going to say to them, or where I'm going to go," Hernandez said.

Members like Susan Schwulst and Valerie Allison of Bloomington will miss the programs at Lady Wellness, which Allison said filled a much-needed niche in the community.

"It's women only. A lot of women enjoy the gym because of that," Allison said.