8 • July 2013
280 Living
Business Happenings GradePower powers up
Stein Mart in temporary location
The GradePower learning center ceremoniously joined the Village at Lee Branch following its grand opening in May. The center, owned by Tony Mauro, follows a learning model of teaching cognitive abilities and academics concurrently, and is unlike others in North America. Programs range include “Little Reader” for ages 3-6, “Beyond Tutoring” for grades first through eighth, “Advantage” for grades ninth through 12th, and test prep for the SAT and ACT. Call 980-5745 or visit gradepowerlearning. com for appointments and more. GradePower Learning Birmingham can be found in the Lee Branch Shopping Center, Suite 105 and online at gradepowerlearning.com. GradePower is open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday.
Stein-Mart has temporarily moved locations because the original location is “falling apart.” “It’s a safety issue,” a representative from Stein-Mart said. The temporary location will open in the old Circuit City site at 5291 U.S. 280 South. In the meantime customers can visit the chain’s store in Vestavia at 664 Montgomery Highway from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. MondaySaturday and from noon-6 p.m. Sunday.
Fitness training studio now open Fitness Functions is now open on Highway 119. The establishment is owned and operated by Sebastian Hudd, who has been a personal trainer for more than nine years. Fitness Functions operates as a personaltraining studio using functional-movementbased workouts and the TRX Suspension Trainers. Hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:15 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. and Fridays from 6 a.m.-5 p.m. Fitness Functions is located at 7350 Cahaba Valley Road, Suite 104. Call 492-0743, visit fitnessfunctions.com or email sebastian@ fitnessfunctions.com.
FABS First to be fabulous The grand opening of the arts and crafts studio FABS First on U.S. 280 is schedule for July 12. FABS uses ceramics as canvases to teach customers figurine painting and new pieces are featured each month. A class is $30, and all supplies are included. “It’s actually proven that crafts and art are very relaxing to the mind,” owner Heather Baker said. Classes are taught as one- or two-hour sessions in its facility at 16165 U.S. 280. Tiedye classes will begin in July. FABS First class schedule is available at fabsfirst.com. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Call Baker at 2156908 for more.
Summit swarms for new Allen Edmonds The national brand Allen Edmonds has
come to the Summit. The new location opened in June and held a 15-percent-off sale its first three weeks, and 10 percent of sales went to Children’s of Alabama, The Alabama Symphony and United Way. “We have a good customer base,” Serena Stevens, store manager, said. “People are just finally glad there is a full-service store here.” Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday from noon-6 p.m. Call 969-4837 for more or visit 211 Summit Blvd or allenedmonds.com.
Auto Zone: Now in the 280 zone A new AutoZone on U.S. 280 opened in May. This location is built like all the others and ensures the customer feels “at home.” “We’ve been a success,” Joseph Bath, store manager, said. “People have been coming in saying how nice it is we’re here and that it’s about time. The response has been outstanding.” The new location is at 4991 U.S. 280. Hours are 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sundays. Call 981-5325 or visit autozone.com for more.
Allstate: new building, same service Allstate Agent James Anthony has moved his office to 48 Chesser Crane Rd, Suite F. “We’d been there 10 years and needed a change of scenery,” Anthony said. Contact Anthony at 678-2660 between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays or visit agents. allstate.com for more.
Zig Zag zigged and zagged to new location Zig Zag moved locations to accommodate its growing business. The Chelsea fabric retailer can now found at 48 Chesser Crane Road, Suite A. Call 678-9822 or visit zigzagchelsea.com for more. Its hours remain 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays.
Jane Claire Designs Drapery Studios moves next door Jane Claire Designs Drapery Studios moved locations. Still making its home in The Colonnade, the new studio is 3419 Colonnade Parkway, Suite 750. Hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 969-5575 or visit janeclairedesigns. com for more.
New gym brings Crossfit to Chelsea Crossfit Chelsea opened in April and is now taking new members. Crossfit’s fitness is a program based off an online site that develops daily and challenging workouts. Each class consists of a warm up, a focus on that day’s skill and an overall workout. The new location is 16145 U.S. 280. Visit crossfitchelsea.net for class schedules or call 618-9700 for more.