By JOHN THOMPSON
Business Editor

With more than 80 Fayette Chamber of Commerce members looking on, Gold's Gym Peachtree City West was named as the county's small business of the year last week.

In recognition of the honor, the Chamber's Small Business Council awarded owner J.D. Holmes a night for two at the Holiday Inn Express, advertising space from several local publications, including The Citizen and a large balloon bouquet from AIG Insurance and Linda Mackey.

Last year's winner, Uniglobe Accent Travel's Marcia Cole and Small Business Council Chair Janet McGregor presented the award to Holmes.

To qualify for the award, the business must

• Be a current member of the Chamber.

• Have been in business for at least three years.

• Project a positive image and adhere to strict business ethics.

• Have 50 or fewer employees.

In the application for the award, Holmes recounted how he bought the gym, which was then Peachtree City Family Fitness in 1994 and posted his first profit in 1996.

In 1998, Holmes broke ground on a new 20,000 sq.ft. facility and moved into the building later that year.

Also in 1998, Holmes purchased $40,000 of new equipment for the new building to make it a state-of-the-art facility.

Early this year, Holmes purchased the Gold's Gym license which allows his members access to more than 540 gyms around the world.

Some of Holmes' unique innovations in his business have been the introduction of the pay by the month plan and a 30 day guarantee.

Holmes said his was the first fitness center in the county to offer a monthly payment plan, instead of requiring prepaid annual dues.

“We understood that it was important for our members to feel comfortable. This was particularly important in the early years since many in the community had lost money on other failed health clubs,” he said.

Another innovation was the 30 day money back guarantee. The state now requires fitness clubs to give members at least seven days to cancel their memberships after joining.

Holmes is confidant enough in his facility to offer a 30 day money back guarantee.

Peachtree National Bank's Ron Duffey was one of the competition's judges and congratulated Holmes.

“J.D. and Varner Holmes have been successful in an industry that has suffered with low credibility and prestige, especially in the Fayette County area. They have accomplished this by hard work and an honest, straightforward business approach in their operation,” he said.

The fitness facility is located at the corner of Ga. Highway 74 and Aberdeen parkway in Peachtree City.

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