By Charlotte Balcomb Lane
Journal Staff Writer
INSIDE RETAIL: By now, consumers know yoga is hot, hot. But a new franchise studio in Albuquerque is taking the notion to the thermostat.
Bikram's Yoga studio at 1930 Juan Tabo is kept at a roasting 105 degrees. David Rogers, who opened the studio with partner Letitia Watts, said the high room temperature increases the body's flexibility, decreases the likelihood of injury and creates a more intense cardio-vascular workout.
Bikram's Yoga is a trademarked brand of intense hatha yoga consisting of 26 classic postures and breathing exercises practiced over a 90-minute session. The system was developed by Bikram Choudhury of Beverly Hills, Calif., who also designed a grueling nine-week program for training Bikram franchise owners and teachers like Rogers and Watts.
Rogers graduated from Bikram's Yoga Teacher Training in 2002; Watts graduated three years ago and opened her Bikram's Yoga location in Santa Fe.
At last count, there were 250 Bikram schools and 2,000 teachers around the world.
Birkam's Yoga is in the Fashion Villa Shopping Center. Classes are offered daily and are available on a drop-in basis for $15 each or a weekly basis for $20. Memberships are also available.
The telephone number is 296-9642.
MORE TO LOVE: The award-winning Betty's Bath & Day Spa is renovating and expanding at 1835 Candelaria NW. The spa is adding three new treatment rooms, a relaxation space and— yes, a new yoga studio.
The yoga studio will be run by High Desert Yoga, which has been in business for 10 years at 4600 Copper NE in Nob Hill. This will be the second location.
"A lot of people were asking us about yoga," explained Betty's owner Elissa Breitbard.
The renovation, which will cost about $160,000, should be complete in January, Breitbard said.
Hart Construction and MilesDane Design are the contractors. Baker + Beccone Architecture + Design were the architects and funding was provided by First Federal Bank.
WHOA, BABY: A new children's furniture and accessories store called USA Baby is scheduled to open in mid-December in Montgomery Plaza. The franchise is one of about 60 across the United States and Mexico specializing in cribs, kiddie beds, dressers, strollers, rockers and other items for the nursery and playroom.
The operators of the Albuquerque store are Tim and Ann Locke, who moved here from Los Angeles. Formerly, Tim Locke worked for toymaker Mattel Inc.
USA Baby will occupy 10,700 square feet next door to the Anchor Blue Clothing Store and the entrance to Gold's Gym. It's just a few doors away from the Baby Depot, a children's store that is part of Burlington Coat Factory.
USA Baby's corporate headquarters is in Elmhurst, Ill., near Chicago. According to the company's Web site, approximately 10,000 babies are born daily in the United States and the children's furniture business is booming.
Tim Locke said he chose the busy shopping center at Montgomery and San Mateo because the location serves both the East and West sides. Locke added that since a $5 million remodeling in 2001, the center attracts more women shoppers.
Jim Dobbie of The Goodman Realty Group handled the lease. Dobbie said the main part of the shopping center is now 99 percent leased.
ALSO IN MONTGOMERY PLAZA: A swank new location of Samuels Diamonds has opened in Montgomery Plaza. This location is a prototype for future stores— with a playroom for kids, a cappuccino machine, comfy chairs and Internet access so customers can browse for additional items.
The other store, on Alexander Boulevard, has closed.
The store also offers the services of a master jeweler, who can repair, restore and design pieces.
The telephone number is 345-9456. The store is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.
Jim Dobbie handled this lease as well.
Know of a new store or restaurant or are you opening a business? Call Charlotte Balcomb Lane at 823-3820 or e-mail clane@abqjournal.com.
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