Spa & Fitness Club, CPK close

COSTA MESA — The Spa & Fitness Club, a fixture at South Coast Plaza for nearly 20 years, has closed its doors.

Patrons had three days to pick up personal belongings and clean out their lockers, according to the spa, which formally closed Jan. 24.

The Spa & Fitness Club’s website no longer rattles off the variety of beauty and spa treatments available. Instead, a plain white screen is visible with a letter from the owners.

“Looking back over our years in Costa Mesa we find most pleasing, even more than the hundreds of loyal members and guests we have been able to serve over the years, are the relationships and friendships that were made here,” the website reads. “Sadly, the challenge of maintaining a luxury Spa has proved too much in these difficult economic times.

“With the recession now entering its fourth year, and still uncertainty ahead we find that ultimately our business is unsustainable.”

Management for the Spa & Fitness Club could not be reached for comment.

Angela Cortright, owner of Spa Gregorie’s in Newport Beach, lamented the loss of a top spa.

“I just think it’s so unfortunate that an institution that has served our community for so many years has to close due to the economic climate,” Cortright said. “They have a great reputation and a lot of loyal customers that I know are also saddened by their closure.”

Cortright has been communicating with The Spa & Fitness Club management since the news broke and wants to support their patrons.

Spa Gregorie’s is offering a 30% discount for former Spa & Fitness Club members who have existing gift certificates. Gregorie’s will also enroll the spa members in their VIP club, which gives 20 percent off their services Monday through Thursday.

Cortright said there might also be “more to the story,” but dismissed a rumor that another Spa Gregorie’s might open at the South Coast Plaza location.

Pizza quick-service locale closes

Also at South Coast Plaza, California Pizza Kitchen ASAP, CPK’s quick-casual restaurant, closed Sunday.

The lease expired and South Coast Plaza is currently in negotiations with a new tenant, executive director of marketing Debra Gunn Downing said.

Gunn Downing estimated that California Pizza Kitchen ASAP had been at South Coast Plaza for almost 10 years.

CPK was located in the part of the shopping center formerly known as Crystal Court.