The Barstool Fund - Barre Code Madison
Up next: Barre Code Madison (Madison, WI)
At The Barre Code, clients of all fitness levels are welcome to discover their most efficient and results-driven fitness program that goes beyond the barre to offer three core formats: Barre, Bootcamp, and Brawl (a high energy kickboxing style class).
Reader Email
We opened the doors to our first studio in August 2016. Since then, we grew to 2 studio locations and 215+ members creating an extremely supportive and encouraging community. Our second location, a larger studio providing more client space and a kids room, opened October 2019. Just 4 months later, we were forced to close our doors. The second studio never even had a chance. We have been closed for a combined 8 months. Recently, we were given guidelines that allowed us to reopen, however, the capacity must be kept extremely limited. Unfortunately, the amount of clients we are able to hold in class doesn't even cover the pay for the instructor. We are in a very difficult position.
At the start of all this, my husband was furloughed and eventually let go from his job. We went through a pregnancy loss, job loss, business closure, all in 2020. This extremely difficult year has taken a lot from us. The only thing that got me through is the community my staff and I have built at our studios. The support that has been received from our core members is incredible. It goes beyond a customer/employee relationship. We know our members on a personal level. We know about their families, where they are from, what they do for work and for fun, we are a family.
I am currently in a position where I have to decide to resign the lease at our first location. The idea of closing it is heartbreaking. It's unthinkable. But, it may be necessary.
What I am asking from Barstool is to help pay our rent. We have not had success from our Landlords in relief and our EIDL and PPP have gone. If we can get assistance for just a few months, I know we can come back strong. We pivoted, the day after our closure, and started outdoor classes and virtual classes. Now, in WI, it's freezing and we lost the outdoor option that kept so many coming to us. I know that once the weather turns warm again, we can get them back and we'll be able to pay rent again.
So, I ask for just 3 months rent assistance. I understand you are receiving an overwhelming about of applicants and I'm so thankful to Barstool for supporting so many Owner's and their dreams. No matter what happens, thank you for supporting small businesses. Owners put their entire lives into their businesses and it's amazing to have support from Barstool. The silver lining of all of these is that we have seen the incredible support show through the hardest of times. Thank you for taking the time and reading my submission.
I wish you all the best and a strong, healthy year!
Kellian Kiron