Lehi business gets a second chance after a generous member donation

(KUTV) — As many businesses are forced to close their doors during the pandemic, one business in Lehi is getting a second chance, thanks to a gracious donor.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit Annette Olson’s business hard. Olson is the owner of the Lehi Curves location. She said her patrons are a family, but many are vulnerable to the virus and couldn’t go to the gym anymore.

"It's so hard to explain, but it's just a close-knit group of ladies,” she said.

Despite intense cleaning and safety regulation, and months of trying to make it work, she announced to her members that she would be closing for good.

“I didn’t know where to go from there. Like where do you go once you shut down your business, like what do you do?”

Then a caring member stepped in to change her story.

"It seriously just feels like it's a little miracle,” Olson said.

The member offered to pay Olson's rent for the next year, saying she couldn't imagine not coming to that gym every day.

"I mean that's thousands and thousands of dollars that she's willing to pay to help me get back on my feet."

The woman wanted to stay anonymous but has been going to the gym for more than 20 years.

God answered our prayers, we have another chance, another year to hang in there and make it grow.

Olson said they aren't out of the woods; they still have work to do to get membership back to where it was before the pandemic. But she said she and her business will persevere, just like her members.

"I have two 80-year-old ladies that can still do one-minute planks. It's super amazing, these ladies are so strong,” she said.

Olson said now she gets to keep her dream job, and more importantly, her family gets to stay together.

"We hardly get to hear anything good anymore, but there are good people out there, helping each other and supporting each other. We just don't hear about it, but it's happening."

She said many small and locally owned businesses are struggling right now. While most can't go as far as covering the rent, she said shopping small really does make a big difference.