(La Porte, IN) - Another business has moved into Maple Lane Mall, as Planet Fitness illustrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this week.

Bert Cook, Executive Director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, said Planet Fitness helps occupy more space at the once mostly empty mall.

He said redeveloping the mall having been a focus.

“I think Planet Fitness is the next piece in that puzzle.  They’ve done an amazing job on their space. It’s enormous and they got room for everybody there,” he said.

Cook also said he’s also heard from people who are happy to have a Planet Fitness to go locally, instead of having to venture elsewhere to take advantage of what they offer.

The mall was nearly totally empty until Rural King opened there just over two years ago. Cook says about 40 percent of the mall remains vacant.  Most of the available space is where Al’s Supermarket used to be.