By: Hadassa Kalatizadeh
NYC is home to a wide variety of member-only clubs. These clubs too are feelings the negative effects of the novel coronavirus. Many of these private clubs are still collecting hefty membership fees, despite the fact that many of these exclusive hotspots are closed during the pandemic. While they know the situation isn’t ideal, the clubs say they too have continuing expenses.
As reported by the Real Deal, Soho House locations are still collecting membership dues. Founded by restauranteur Nick Jones, it is only offering in-house credits for the time the club is closed, in a quest to cover costs associated with the club’s portfolio of 18 sought-after properties. The members club, first opened in 1995, has multiple lush locations in New York, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles and around the world. Last year, Soho House was planning a major expansion after raising $100 million.
But it is not the only club to continue collecting membership dues. Otto Car Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, which offers vehicle storage, club space, and concierge services, is also still charging full dues. As per Bloomberg, clubs are doing what they can to keep members happy. Otto Car Club is still providing members with small group drives, but members must stay in their cars in order to adhere to social distancing.
Classic Car Club in New York is doing its best to keep members. It is offering members who have the less expensive club-house only, non-driving memberships access its fleet of supercars. The club also has open a racing series on its high-tech track simulators. The club staff spends roughly three hours disinfecting each car used by members to keep them germ free, but they consider it the cost of doing business. About 30 members dropped their memberships since the onset of Coronavirus. However, co-owner Michael Prichinello said optimistically that applications are up.
There are a few clubs that are refunding members for the months that services are inaccessible. San Vicente Bungalows in Hollywood, CA is letting members suspend their memberships and apply dues to pay for future months. In London, wine enthusiast club 67 Pall Mall Club, is giving members credit for unused months and has also initiated virtual wine tasting events for members.
Like most business across the board, the members-only clubs can only hope that the shutdown is short-lived.
