Bye bye baby, hello Edge Fitness

BATAVIA – It’s bye, bye baby, hello Edge Fitness Club.

Buy Buy Baby, the retail store selling clothing and supplies for infants and small children, has nearly cleared out of its 34,000-square-foot space at 310 N. Randall Road in Batavia.

In its place will be a new location for The Edge Fitness Clubs, an exercise chain that is breaking into the Chicagoland market.

At a committee-level vote on Tuesday, the Batavia City Council approved a conditional use permit for Edge Fitness to occupy the retail space as a recreational facility.

Chris Beson, senior project manager with Edge Fitness, said the new club is expected to open for business in about eight or nine months.

The city of Batavia has long regarded the Randall Road commercial corridor as its sales tax-generating economic engine and sought to limit non-retail business uses there.

However, Batavia Planning and Zoning Officer Joel Strassman told alderman that the city staff supports the fitness club plan because it will increase foot traffic in the shopping center.

“Approval would allow for fast turnover of the lease space and avoid prolonged vacancy,” Strassman said.

“While retail sales tax revenue generated by this space with health club use would be less than by a retail user, the proposed tenant may generate new customers for area retailers, increasing their sales,” Strassman said.

The club plans to sell apparel and exercise equipment, creating some sales tax revenue from the business, Strassman said.

The retail space is located in the Wind Point Shopping Center, sandwiched between the Kohl’s store and Office Max. Other businesses in the shopping center include Hobby Lobby and Aldi.

Bernard Citron, an attorney representing property owner KIR Batavia, told aldermen that the closure of Buy Buy Baby has already reduced foot traffic for the neighboring businesses.

“This club will bring people into the center,” Citron said, adding that exercise facilities are lacking in the area.

“This market is somewhat underserved,” Citron said.

Beson told aldermen that the club expects to have 10,000 members by its third year of operation.

During the week, the club will be open 24-hours-a-day, from 4 a.m. Monday to 9 p.m. Friday, Beson said. The facility will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, he said.

The club will always have staff members present when the facility is open, Beson assured aldermen.

Edge Fitness offers group exercise classes led by instructors, as well as personal training.

Batavia aldermen are expected to give final approval for the plan at the Feb. 3 council meeting.

Edge Fitness operates facilities in St. Louis, Detroit and several eastern states. It is opening clubs in Naperville, Crystal Lake and Orland Hills.