Eye clinic moves to larger space

David Gaimari says it didn’t take long for he and his staff of four full-time employees to adjust to moving his North Spokane Eye Care clinic from 124 E. Rowan to 318 E. Rowan.

“We needed more space,” Gaimari says of more than tripling his clinic space from 1,200 square feet to 3,700 square feet of space.

The clinic is located in an office suite at the southwest corner of the intersection of Rowan Avenue and Lidgerwood Street, next to Providence Holy Family Hospital.

Gaimari says the size of the new location enabled him to purchase more equipment, which has given him and his staff the ability to perform more specialized testing for possible diseases.

In addition, North Spokane Eye Care now has the room to display more than 500 prescription and sunglasses for patients.

Gaimari purchased the clinic’s book of business five years ago from Spokane opticians Bradley Gruver, Ken Koch, and Matt Jones.

“We’re in a great position to continue or growth and we’re certainly in a position of being able to accept new patients,” Gaimari says.

—Kevin Blocker

 

South Hill fitness club changes hands

Erica Demateis has bought the Jazzercise Spokane South Hill franchise from former owner Carol Bjork.

Demateis says she’s been working to redevelop the business’ operations and is searching for a new location.

She says the business currently leases an 800-square-foot space within the fitness center at Rockwood Retirement South Hill, at 2903 East 25th. 

“My goal is to create better marketing that lets more people know we’re here, and that we offer classes to both men and women of all ages,” she says.

Demateis declines to disclose how much she paid for the business. She is the business’s only employee but contracts with five other instructors.

Jazzercise is a California-based fitness franchise company founded by Judi Sheppard Missett in 1969. The company now has over 8,300 franchisees worldwide, including four in Spokane.

Demateis describes Jazzercise as a full-body workout that combines dance, strength, and resistance training with popular music.

“I’ve been Jazzercising forever,” she says. “My mother was an instructor so I grew up with it, and eventually decided to become an instructor myself.” 

Demateis, 36, says she had taught Jazzercise courses in California for several years, learning from the company’s founders in Oceanside, before moving to Spokane. 

“When I moved here, there were three Jazzercise locations,” she says. “I approached Carol (Bjork) about purchasing the South Hill location, because I saw a lot of potential for it to grow.”

Demateis says Jazzercise South Hill offers about 16 classes each week, both morning and evenings. 

—LeAnn Bjerken

Titan Fitness starts next to NorthTown

Joe Campbell has opened a club called Titan Fitness in 4,000 square feet of space at 112 E. Wellesley, just across the street from the south end of NorthTown Mall.

Campbell, a former personal trainer at Spokane-area Muv Fitness clubs, says he’s trying to establish a fitness gym that goes beyond just physical conditioning.

 “I want to incorporate positive messages and reinforcement for the customers,” Campbell says. “I’ve always been a fan of motivational speaking and motivational thinking. I’m going to start a running challenge to clients with the appeal of greater self-growth.”

Campbell and a part-time fitness trainer are currently Titan’s only employees. 

Though Campbell has been working out for nearly two decades, he says he became a diabetic five years ago, which made him pay closer attention to his diet.

He says he’s got a client base of about 50 people, which he estimates to be 75 percent women. He teaches classes ranging from six to eight people and also offers one-on-one training.

He says his training style is to present varied workouts to customers. Campbell incorporates some components of CrossFit and traditional weight training into his teaching regimen.

“I’m constantly evolving, and I think customers like that because they’re not always getting the same thing. It helps keep everyone fresh,” he says.

—Kevin Blocker

Dance store opens north of Spokane

Spokane Dance Boutique has opened at 323 W. Hastings Road, north of Spokane, says Caley Edwards, owner and sole employee. 

The store, which opened early last month, occupies just over 1,000 square feet of space in what was formerly Interface Driving Academy space, Edwards says. It sells leotards, belly skirts, dance shoes, bags, and other dance-related attire and accessories for all ages.

Edwards started dancing when she was 4 years old and danced through her college years, including participating in Gonzaga University’s dance program. 

Edwards says she has 5 1/2 years of experience fitting pointe shoes for dancers of all ages. 

She says she saw a need for a dance store, particularly in North Spokane, where many dance studios are located.

“I just felt like it was meant to be, and so I decided to start doing it, and I’m glad I did,” she says. 

Spokane Dance Boutique is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

—Samantha Peone