Employees and club members stood outside in shock Monday after the Metro South Athletic Club slammed its doors shut, leaving longtime loyal customers clueless as to why it closed.

A note posted to the door Sunday was the only notice both gym members and employees said they received.

“It’s unbelievable,” said employee Bill Crowder. “I’ve been here a long time and they just closed the door.”

Crowder, a personal trainer at the local gym for about 10 years, said he spoke with the owner Saturday after a training session.

“He never said anything,” Crowder said, of owner Bernie Goodman.

At 5 a.m. Sunday, Crowder got to the gym like he does nearly every day, and found a sign saying checks would be in the mail.

Neither Goodman nor his co-owner, Marguerite Canada, could be located Monday.

Not only did the owners not give notice to members, but they were taking new memberships up through last week, according to Brockton business owner Thomas Sedell, who said Monday he is outraged at his $350 loss.

Nicole Chapman, of Bridgewater, plunked down $400 two months ago for her annual membership.

“The owner had no problem taking my cash in April,” she said. “He had to have known then they weren’t going to be around until next April.”

Dozens of members drove in and out of the empty parking lot Sunday and Monday. Some were shocked, others had already heard the rumor, but wanted to see for themselves.

“It’s sad,” said Stoughton resident Nick Balboni. “I basically knocked the door down when they opened up in 1980.”

Balboni said originally, the gym offered personal training, yoga, racquetball and more, and first opened as the Brockton Racquetball Club.

“Like clockwork,” Balboni said he was at the club every Monday and Thursday night with friends to play racquetball and then kick back with a couple beers at the club’s bar.

“It’s a great get-together place,” he added.

Balboni said owner Goodman bartended Thursday night, and said nothing.

Members interviewed in the empty parking lot Monday said the place has changed owners multiple times over the years.

Crowder, one of a half dozen trainers, said husband and wife team “Bernie and Maggie” came on about two years ago.

According to Brockton’s license department, the business certificate for Metro South Athletic Club has been expired since 2007.

And according to the state secretary of state’s Corporation Commission website, the state issued an order of dissolution to Metro South Athletic Club, LLC, 85 Liberty St., on April 30, 2009. The site also has an entry for Houser Fitness Corp., with the most recent filing being a 2010 annual report.