Fan retail strip gets pumped

In spring 2007, the Wilton Companies transformed a used car lot and garage at the intersection of West Cary and Lombardy streets in the Fan into retail space.

More than two years later, the first tenants are moving in.

Nirvana Salon & Spa arrived in September, and Fitness Together, a personal training studio, is planning a grand opening Nov. 13.

“It took a long time,” said broker Chris Francoise. “We entered at the high time of the market, and starting out the rates we were asking were a little high.”

And then the recession hit.

But since prices have adjusted and the economic outlook has improved, Francoise said things are looking up.

“People are still kicking tires and comparing rates, but there has definitely been a lot more activity,” he said.

Francoise said it took a little bit of time for the neighborhood to progress and become an attractive location.

“Like any sub-market in Richmond, I think incremental progress in that whole corridor has taken some time with residential and commercial to develop,” said Francoise.

While the timing may have been a bit early for the landlord, it’s just right for Sean Murphy, owner of the Fitness Together franchise.

“I found a good opportunity looking at today’s economy to grow the business better and get a stronger location,” said Murphy, who is moving his studio from the Brook Run Shopping Center near Lakeside.

Fitness Together is a personal training franchise with more than 500 locations worldwide. Murphy said each session is between $50 and $65 and offers one-on-one training.

“We offer a luxury service. People can go to a box gym and work out, but with us, we give one-on-one attention and guarantee results, so you spend a little more,” he said.

When the economy tanked in September 2008, Murphy said, clients started dropping. At one time, he was training between 30 and 40 people; that number is down to between 15 and 20.

Murphy wanted to move to the Fan to be more centrally located and to have the chance to draw in new clients. The new property also gives him 500 more square feet to work with (the new location is about 1,900 square feet). Currently he is the only trainer, but Murphy said he is interviewing other personal trainers

At the new location, Murphy said, he can serve between 50 and 60 clients.

The Gold’s Gym just around the corner doesn’t pose much competition, he said, adding that his current location is in front of an American Family Fitness.

“The clients we cater do, most don’t belong to big gyms because they don’t feel comfortable in them,” said Murphy. “Those that want extra activity, a gym compliments what we are trying to do.”

BizSense has recently written about the growing fitness-related industry here.

Al Harris covers commercial real estate for BizSense. Please send news tips to Al@richmondbizsense.com.