The Boot Fitness Closes Its Doors
Jan 13, 2025 01:10PM ● By Jen Gennaro
Main image: "Our last official class." Photo courtesy of Jodie Haney
After six impactful years, The Boot Fitness in Zachary has closed its doors. The gym, which opened in 2019 in the renovated historic Trio Theater on Main Street, was a labor of love for owner Jodie Haney. However, the demands of family life and the need to relocate ultimately led to the decision to shut down.
"The Boot closed last month because my family and I needed to move to a city with a bigger airport for my husband’s career," shared Haney from her new home in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Efforts to sell the business were made, but challenges mounted when four of The Boot's coaches—two married couples—relocated out of state within the same month. Another coach decided to dedicate more time to her family. These staffing changes created a significant hurdle in finding a new owner willing and able to rebuild a team that matched the caliber of The Boot’s original coaching staff.
"The biggest hurdle in finding a new owner was their desire and ability to create an entirely new team of incredible coaches capable of providing our athletes with the quality leadership and expertise to which they were accustomed," Haney explained.
Ultimately, the decision to close was made with the members' best interests at heart. "Rather than leave things half done, we decided to stop while we were ahead, let the memories of that place be as beautiful as the people that were in it, and encourage our members to individually choose their next healthy adventure rather than providing something we knew was going to be subpar," said Haney.
As a parting gift to the community, The Boot is selling its equipment to ensure it finds new life in the hands of its coaches, members, and eventually the public. Updates on the sale will be posted on The Boot's social media channels.
While the closure marks the end of an era, Haney reflects on the joy and connection that The Boot brought to Zachary. "Missing our Zachary family here in Charlotte, NC, but we also are forever grateful for the friends that turned into family during our time at The Boot."
No info yet on when the space may come available for lease. The Boot's lease ends in February.

A Glow Up for Downtown Zachary Landmark
The Boot Crossfit has a new mural. It's just the latest update to an historic building that had fallen on hard times before it was saved by a new tenant. Read More »