Two like-minded businesses have opened at each floor of the former Shiraz wine bar space in the Carmel Arts & Design District.
Iviva, a girls’ athletic clothing store, opened at the end of last year and Balance Yoga and Fitness opened this month on the second floor.
Iviva is a company owned by Lululemon, one of the popular brands that combines fitness, fashion and function. The store at 404 W. Main St. sells active wear for girls ages 4 to 14.
“We love being close to the Monon and all of the activity on Main Street,” store manager Erica Peregine said. “It gives it that boutique feel compared to other areas.”
Peregrine said the clothes are meant to be durable and comfortable when you exercise, but also look fashionable enough that you don’t mind wearing them all the time.
“I’d say about half are athletes and half are girls who want something to look cute at school,” she said.
Just above Iviva, owners Will Baker and Heather T. Leo have opened their yoga studio, which is a second location of the HTL Yoga studio at Clay Terrace.
It’s one of the more unique spaces to practice yoga. Walking in, the atmosphere looks like someone’s living room with a small kitchen located in the corner. When the space was used for Shiraz, this second floor was reserved for private parties and events. The wine bar’s owner lived on the third floor, hence the homey feel.
“It’s a nice central location,” he said. “It’s a beautiful place with great wood floors and natural lighting. We have it set up as an environment where it can be a community.”
Baker and Leo have extensively redecorated the space but have made use of the existing fireplace – combined with sunlight from the large windows – to create a great way to practice hot yoga, which is a form of yoga where warm temperatures loosen the muscles and help participants sweat out toxins.
One of the specialties for Balance by HTL is the indo-board balance classes. This is where participants utilize a balance board that looks like a see-saw to help strengthen joints and build strength and balance.
Check out these new business on the web:
Iviva – www.ivivva.com
Balance by HTL – www.altfitindy.com
