Forced to Move: Our Gym’s Eminent Domain Story
When the State of Indiana informed us that eminent domain would force our gym to relocate, we faced a three-and-a-half-year journey through commercial real estate challenges, failed property deals, and financial uncertainty that tested everything we built over seven years. This complete guide shares our experience relocating THIRST Gym in Terre Haute, including environmental assessment obstacles, building code requirements, and the unexpected lessons that transformed us from gym renters into property owners. If you’re considering gym ownership, facing a forced business relocation, or navigating commercial real estate for your fitness facility, this story reveals the financial realities, strategic decisions, and ultimate silver linings that came from one of the most challenging periods in our business history.