Bend gymnastics business closes abruptly

Cascade All-Star Gymnastics in Bend closed and moved out over the holiday weekend, leaving many parents confused and frustrated.

“I called their phone number, which has been disconnected,” parent Carol Scott said Wednesday. “Went to their Website, which doesn’t even exist any more.”

“I showed up today, wanted to re-enroll my kids — and the doors are closed,” said Brett Gorbett, who had two kids enrolled in the gym..

According to parents, classes were still going on last Friday — but by Tuesday, the doors were closed and gear all gone.

“We looked in the window, and there wasn’t a single thing left in the building,” Scott said. “My son wanted to go see for himself that it really was gone, and he said, ‘Mom, are even the trophies gone.'”

Many parents said they had already paid deposits for the next month and are now wondering when and if they will get their money back.

The owner of Cascade All-Star Gymnastics, Lexy Archer, told NewsChannel 21 in an e-mail: “As for financials, any and all payments where services were not rendered will be refunded.”

“If she refunds the money, that’s great,” Scott said. “But that doesn’t make the kids feel any better.”

The surprise in the sudden disappearance of the business is especially difficult because parents NewsChannel 21 spoke with said their kids loved the gym.

“Oh, they loved it here<" Gorbett said. "They had a great time."

“He loved the teachers and especially the owner, Lexy,” Scott said.

Archer would not go into detail about her reasons for closing, but she said in a statement: “After 14 years of blood sweat and tears, I have decided a life change was in order. I will forever love all the girls and wish them so much success.”

Many parents said that notice should have come weeks ago, and some have filed complaints with police and the Better business Bureau

“We can understand if someone has financial problems or family problems,” Scott said. “But you need to say something.”