Former Anti-Gym owner Michael Karolchyk argued and lost a case brought by a disgruntled client on “People’s Court” Thursday at roughly the same time the feds were auctioning off the gym’s sports equipment and memorabilia to help pay a $211,000 tax bill owed to the IRS.
Sweet justice for a jerk?
Many would say so.
Just ask the boldface names that grace the chalkboards under the title “Jimmy Dean Sausage List,” “Fatso List” or “Heretics List” for the people who dropped the program: chef Troy Guard, marketing maven Leigh Sullivan, radio and TV personality Denise Plante, bartender Ky Belk, Vitahl Spa owner Tahl Humes and real-estate agent Nancy Levine.
Pieces of Hard Kore exercise equipment were auctioned for pennies on the dollar.
A leg-press machine that was originally $4,000, for example, went for $350.
Karolchyk, who had and lost Anti-Gyms at 21st and Curtis streets and in Cherry Creek North, is reportedly living in Los Angeles.
Trainer Matthew Damico left the Cherry Creek operation in June.
“I didn’t see Michael as being the kind of person who could run a sustainable business,” Damico said at the auction. “We shared some of the same philosophies but were at odds over how to treat clients.”
Karolchyk was known for throwing insults and cupcakes at clients who he felt weren’t working hard enough. His derogatory TV ads showed him berating a chubby actress.
“He got to a point where he overplayed his hand,” Damico said. “He thrived on chaos.”
Dandy digs.
Former Broncos linebacker Ian Gold is planting roots in Denver.
He flew back recently in time to pay the de pos it on his new condo in the under-construction Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences at 14th and Arapahoe streets.
The project is tapped to open in the fall of 2010.
Chef switch.
Former sous chef Lance Barto is the new executive chef at Strings.
Former top toque Aaron Whitcomb has taken a new job as executive chef at Yia Yia’s in the Tech Center.
The seen.
Colorado Restaurant Association big cheese Pete Meersman on the patio of Benny’s on Wednesday. KDVR-Channel 31 anchor Shaul Turner dining inside Benny’s on Wednesday.
Eavesdropping.
A woman at Tambien in Cherry Creek: “I had to friend myself on Facebook today.”
Penny Parker’s column runs Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@ .
