After sitting empty for more than five months, the space formerly occupied by The Women's Fitness Co. has a new occupant. Dale Photo Imaging Center has moved from their former location at the end of Belle View Shopping Center into the fitness center's space. They will now have two usable floors compared to the one floor that they formerly had.
Manager Eric Jean said that they will use the lower level for production and storage. They had some lower level storage space in their former facility, and lost a significant amount of materials after Hurricane Isabel flooded the shopping center. They now have flood insurance and will take precautions with the lower level in their new store.
Michael Dunkley, who recently joined the imaging center, said that the company plans to expand more into digital printing and high-speed printing on demand. Whereas, before companies had to print large volumes of brochures and other print materials, they can now store it on disk and get it printed when needed.
CURVES WILL MOVE into Dale Photo's old location. Curves is one of the world's largest fitness franchises; they currently are located in other parts of Alexandria and Arlington.
Unlike large gyms that offer a multitude of exercise machines and fitness classes, Curves has a much simpler approach. They offer a tightly structured, 30-minute circuit training workout on eight to 12 strength-training machines alternating with cardio segments. The centers cater to women, mostly 30 and up, and is appealing because of the low cost and the limited amount of time required to finish a workout session.
Dishes of India remains closed. That business was the worst one hit by floods from Hurricane Isabel. Naresh Bhatt, owner of the restaurant, said that they are moving forward and still plan to open the restaurant in the near future.
Once Dishes of India re-opens, the shopping center will be full, except for the empty space adjacent to Safeway. Leasing manager Kurt Kranz said that Safeway continues to pay for the space even though he doesn't believe that they plan to expand.