Sunday, July 29, 2007
Plans are shaping up for a fitness club for children
Jenny Kincaid Boone
Jenny reports on the latest news on the Roanoke Valley retail industry.
Recent stories
Viktoria Hassall is a local stay-at-home mom on a mission to find fitness for her three daughters, all under the ages of 6.
Sure, she knows there are other health and fitness programs for kids in the Roanoke Valley, but nothing quite like what she has seen in some other cities across the United States.
In September, Hassall plans to open My Gym in a spot at Townside Festival Center on Franklin Road in Roanoke. It's a fitness club designed for children ages 6 weeks to 13 years old, and it has franchise locations nationwide.
A native of Roanoke, Hassall relocated here four years ago from Virginia Beach with her husband, Alan, who's a pilot for FedEx.
Hassall, 41, has a personal interest in fitness. She has run a half-marathon and regularly works out at Gold's Gym in Roanoke County.
As far as My Gym, "As a mom, I felt like Roanoke is really ready for this," Hassall said.
The My Gym classes are non-competitive, she said, with a focus on some gymnastics elements. They're developmental with age-appropriate activities that involve music, dance and climbing. The classes for older children work various muscles and incorporate cardiovascular exercises. My Gym also has a not-for-profit side. It's called Challenged America, which provides scholarships to children who are physically challenged.
Hassall will teach some classes, and she also has hired a manager, Ty McElroy, who is an athlete and a former college football player. Recently, both received intensive training for three weeks in Los Angeles, the My Gym national headquarters.
Hassall has begun recruiting local families for My Gym memberships. At least 27 people have signed up so far, though no fees have been collected yet, she said. There's a membership fee, and members pay for classes every four weeks.
For more information about the new My Gym location, call 774-0037 or visit my-gym.com.
Magic Connection
A local entrepreneur is moving his magic business to the Internet.
Mark Fuller, owner of Magic Connection, closed this magic tricks and supply store at Towers Shopping Center in Roanoke this month. He's had the store for 14 years.
But business for Fuller has waned for the past three years. Some of his regular customers often wandered in and talked about what they had purchased on the Internet, he said.
"I've been getting less and less customers," Fuller said.
But instead of boycotting the Internet, Fuller's planning to join in on cyberspace retailing. He already sells some magic items on Internet auction Web site eBay, but he's planning to create an eBay store in August.
"I'll still be able to service my customers that way," he said.
Fuller will sell items at a discount, compared to what customers would have paid in his retail store, he said.
EBay won't be his only avenue for earning a living. Fuller will continue to work as the magician and entertainer at children's birthday parties, company events and other venues.
Schaal's Metamorphosis
Schaal's Metamorphosis is the name of a new private events facility on Jefferson Street in downtown Roanoke.
As previously reported, Schaal's Catering & Events has taken over a former coffee shop location at 402 S. Jefferson St., where it's hosting special events and parties.
