Steve Swain, general manager of Longview's Court House Athletic Club, said the facility is temporarily closed after weather related damage.

"Due to circumstances beyond our control, the club will be closed for what we hope will be a reasonably short time," Swain said in a statement on the club's Web site. "The recent high winds, heavy rains and hail that affected the Longview area caused some roof damage as well as flooding."

The club, at 1 Court House Drive off Loop 281, is having the damage assessed while talking with insurance company representatives.

In the meantime, arrangements have been made with other fitness operators to allow Court House members to continue their fitness programs.

"The Challenge at Oak Forest, Elite Gym and Gym 101 have been kind enough to open their doors to our members," Swain wrote. "We intend to do this at our own expense and at no cost to you. With your permission we would like to add whatever time the club is down to the end of your current contract."

Visit the Web site for updated information: www.courthouseathletic.com.

Sweet June move

Officials with Sweet Shop USA, which last week announced its relocation from Fort Worth to Mount Pleasant, said they hope to be in operation in East Texas by June.

Jim Webb, owner of the privately held company, said the retail shop adjacent to the Fort Worth plant annually draws about 30,000 visitors. About 20 of the firm's current employees plan to relocate to Mount Pleasant, he said.

Sweet Shop USA is a producer of more than 100 varieties of confections.

New center's lineup

The latest lineup of retail locations for Longview Towne Center, North Eastman Road and Hawkins Parkway, include: PetSmart, with about 20,250 square feet of space; Famous Footwear, 8,500 square feet; Payless Shoes, 3,100 square feet; Lane Bryant, 6,000 square feet; Maurice's, 4,800 square feet; Dollar Tree, 10,000 square feet; Lifeway Christian Store, 8,000 square feet; Verizon, 4,000 square feet; Citi Financial, 1,600 square feet; Sports Clips, 1,200 square feet; The Cash Store, 1,400 square feet; and Deluxe Nail Salon, 2,000 square feet.

Most of the locations are expected to open between now and summer. A PetSmart spokeswoman last week said that store is still scheduled to open in early 2009.

Site work for PetSmart, to be located between Target and Kohl's,continues.

Sports Clips is a franchised men's and boy's hair salon with a sports theme.

New senior living

Ground breaking ceremonies for Meadow Lake - A Senior Living Community, a Sears Methodist Retirement Systems project, is set for 10 a.m. Thursday in Tyler.

The development includes a model home. The project is off County Road 165, which is off Old Jacksonville Highway. For more information call (903) 526-5599.

Mike Elswick is the business editor of the Longview News-Journal. He can be reached at (903) 237-7737 or at: melswick@longview-news.com.