Heather Dupuis wasn't actively shopping for a second location for her
Vie Fitness & Spa, but as the business mix at Arbor Hills Crossing developed, she saw a perfect opportunity to grow her bustling downtown business.
"Café Zola was kind of my trigger point," Dupuis says. "The same clients that go to Vie go to Café Zola, and the same clients also go to Lululemon. I thought this might be a good opportunity for us, and for our clients."
While some of her clients already come from the Washtenaw Ave. area, Dupuis also anticipates a new surge of members who may have been put off by dealing with downtown parking in the past. The new 3,000 square foot, second-floor studio will feature plenty of free parking, as well as a rear-entrance.
"The back entrance will be very private and discreet," says Dupuis. "It will be nice for people who don't want to look all sweaty coming in and out of the studio."
The original Vie location began as 3,000-square foot studio as well a decade ago. Since then, the location has doubled in size. Dupuis says expansion at her forthcoming Arbor Hills Crossing is also an option, though for now, the studio will offer fewer services than the original location, with a focus on Pilates and fitness classes.
Dupuis hopes to open the new Vie location by January of 2014. She anticipates the second location will employ a staff of 20. It will be located above the North Face and Anthropologie stores.
Source: Heather Dupuis, Vie Vitness & Spa
Writer: Natalie Burg
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