Gym protesters demand juice, justice

The wind was chilly and the misting rain wilted their hand-made cardboard signs, but the small crowd of protesters didn’t care.

The group of about 15 people picketed and marched outside the Newport Center 24 Hour Fitness gym Saturday morning in a last-ditch effort to save the gym’s popular juice bar ? and its friendly owner ? from being evicted.

Many of the club’s members are angered that club remodel plans leave no room for Jin-Sung Kim and his juice bar, Surf City Squeeze. Kim ? known as “Jim” by his customers ? owns the franchise rights to the juice bar and has leased the space inside the Newport Center 24 Hour Fitness for five years.

He’s been served with a 30-day eviction notice and must be out by April 25.

“First of all we love Jim and second, we all love his protein shakes,” said club member Marcia Saunders, of Newport Beach.

“No juice, no justice!” they chanted, with different members of the group taking turns leading the cheer. They paraded around the building, carrying signs and urging others to join them.

Some were wearing t-shirts emblazoned with a picture of Kim; many held signs, crafted with markers, cardboard and duct tape. Kim brought hand-made buttons, reading “Save the juice bar.”

Every time someone walked in or out of the gym, the protesters would invite them to join the rally.

“Come on, join us over here! Let’s save Jim’s juice bar!” they shouted.

Newport Beach resident Brad Rodgers said he usually doesn’t participate in protests, but he couldn’t sit this one out.

“It’s a good cause,” Rodgers said. “This guy’s got a lot on the line.”

A manager at the Newport Center 24-Hour Fitness Saturday said he could not comment on the protest.

Known around the gym and nearby office buildings for his smile and healthy smoothies, Kim’s built up a loyal cliental who said they’ll do everything they can to convince management to reverse their decision.

Corona del Mar resident Victor Trujillo is one of many members who said they’ll take their membership somewhere else unless Kim can stay.

“When he leaves, I leave, without question,” Trujillo said.

Saunders is also looking for a new gym, one with better customer service, she said.

“You know what, they don’t seem to care,” Saunders said of the club management.

Kim, who’s seemingly overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from his friends and customers, said he understands why he has to leave but doesn’t know what his employment plans are for the future.

Kim is the sole provider for his wife and 16-year-old son. His wife is battling cancer and cannot work.

“He has an incredibly strong faith, that’s what keeps him going,” said Angie Shim, a close friend of Kim’s who helps out in the juice bar. While Kim’s friends showed their support outside, he worked behind the juice bar counter to serve his busy Saturday morning crowd.

At one point, Kim came outside and put a jacket around the shoulders of one of the protesters. Standing out in the rain, he was afraid they’d catch cold, he said.

The group said it’s possible they’ll protest again, but it depends on the management’s actions. For now, they’re encouraging members to voice their concern by sending faxes or making phone calls to the 24 Hour Fitness corporate office.

“At least he knows that he has a lot of supporters,” said gym member Christof Ballin.dpt.02-24hrfitness-CPhotoInfoBV1PI58O20060402ix2ktikn(LA)24 Hour Fitness gym members gather in protest yesterday over the eviction of a popular juice bar and its owner from the premises.