The Rochester Athletic Clubis bulking up its sports shop as the first stage of series of remodeling projects to help the club tone up a bit.
"The RAC will celebrate 20 years of operations next October, so our goal is give it a facelift over the next few years," says Matt Remick, president of the club.
To kick that project off, the Top RAC Sport Shopis being expanded by about 700 square feet. or by about a third of its existing space. Construction is currently under way. To remain open, the shop has been temporarily moved to another spot under the expansion is complete.
Why expand the store?
"It has had tremendous success for the past two years. Now they will be able to more offer of everything," says Remick.
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That 'everything' goes beyond just workout clothes and gear.
"They've been getting into more fashion items, which have been selling well. They are focused on finding unique items, not just workout clothing," he says.
He attributes the success of the shop to its co-directors, Deb Hanson and Jean Caples.
When the expanded shop re-opens in about a month, it will be under a new name. Exactly what that name will be is being kept under wraps until the opening, says Remick.
The plan is to "refresh" the entire complex on 19th Street Northwest, one part at a time.
The RAC has about 250 employees on staff, a number that swells to about 300 during the summer months.
Biz buzz
Many Rochester businesses are mobilizing to help the victims of Superstorm Sandy by making "no sew" fleece tie blankets as well as collecting donations of clothing.
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On Sunday, the group will be at the Hampton Inn Northat 2870 59th St. N.W. from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to accept donations of fleece and clothing.
Child-sized blankets require 1 yard of print fleece and one yard of solid-colored fleece. Adult-sized blankets need 1 1/2 yards of each.
There's more information on the Blanket Drive for Superstorm Sandy Victims Facebook page.
