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Shop Talk

by Daryl Savage

STAINED GLASS, SPINNING CLASS ... This unlikely combination works. The stained-glass windows, eight of them, create a dramatic backdrop for a variety of exercise classes in Palo Alto's newest fitness center. Located in the former University AME Zion Church at 819 Ramona St., Uforia Studios opened Feb. 1 and offers spinning and many other classes. The building itself, nestled in a quaint residential neighborhood and classified as an historic structure, underwent a $150,000, 90-day renovation that helped turn the old site into a virtual work of art. Uforia is the brainchild of Sarah Lux and her husband, Robert Hanson, a nationally ranked track athlete. Also joining the venture is Jessica Gilmartin as Uforia's consultant/investor. She is the former co-owner of Fraiche, and sold her stake in the Palo Alto/Stanford yogurt shop last year. "We've been planning this for three years. We've done our homework," said Lux, who is also a competitive athlete. Other offerings include weight-training, Pilates, ballet-conditioning, Zumba and hip-hop. Chilled towels and free fruit are a few additional perks at Uforia. A grand-opening launch party is scheduled for Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. "Everyone who comes will get a free class," Lux said.

BARGAINS IN ART ... The Palo Alto Art Center at 1313 Newell Road, preparing to undergo its first major renovation, is holding a pre-closing sale at its Gallery Shop, with all items reduced in price by at least 25 percent. The shop features hand-crafted artisan work, including necklaces made of zippers and earrings made of recycled Legos. The shop is scheduled to close Feb. 19, with the art center as a whole shutting its doors April 1 for year-long renovation work.

Heard a rumor about your favorite store or business moving out, or in, down the block or across town? Daryl Savage will check it out. She can be e-mailed at shoptalk@paweekly.com.

Posted by Robert H, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Feb 17, 2011 at 11:09 pm

Great story about Uforia Studios!

Posted by Carolyn DIgovich, a resident of Menlo Park, on Sep 30, 2011 at 4:01 pm

Benefit Art in Our Schools and Support Local Business:

Nature Gallery & Lyons Limited Antique Prints, Town & Country Village, is holding a fundriser to support quality arts in our schools - particularly in local underserved schools.

Promotions, Raffles, student art exhibit, food, drink! This event features exquisite, amethyst geode tables, specially acquired and priced for the fundraiser. On display at Lyons Limited Antique Prints;they will go on sale at the event. Lyons and Nature Gallery offer lovely rare prints and one of a kind gift items and jewelry.

Join us on Sunday Oct 9th, 2-5, purchase that one of a kind gift,and make a substantial donation to the Art in Action, a quality, hands-on arts programs in our local schools.

Support businesses that support our students.