2B
PELICAN PRESS
YourObserver.com
THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012
NEIGHBORS
MELISSA DEMORE
Melissa DeMore had always enjoyed fitness, but it wasn’t until she opened a Pure Barre franchise that she became passionate about her job. Melissa DeMore has a lot of good things going on in her life. Currently, she’s running Pure Barre studio in Sarasota, getting ready to open a second studio and preparing for her first child. DeMore a Sarasota native like her mother, Melody Lamont, graduated from Riverview High School in 2000. For college, she left the state to attend Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. and major in interior design. During her freshman year, she met a nice guy on a track scholarship from Georgia named Clay DeMore. The two dated all four years of college and were married in 2005. When DeMore graduated in 2004, she made her way back to Florida, this time to Siesta Key, where her family had moved while she was in college. “I always knew I would come back,” DeMore says. DeMore worked in the interior-design business for three different firms after graduating college. “I loved it, but it wasn’t my passion,” she says. In 2010 DeMore, went to Birmingham for a wedding and decided to pop into a Pure
Barre studio run by two girls who had attended Samford University during her time there. After one class, DeMore was hooked. “I had danced and was cheerleader in high school, and it (Pure Barre) has a dance background, so it just kind of fit my passion for fitness, dance and teaching,” she says. When DeMore returned to Siesta, she began talking with her friend, Sara Ferguson, about the possibility of going into business together. In June 2011, the two opened their first studio in Paradise Plaza in Sarasota. “It’s really good for all ages, because it is low impact and high intensity, so it is good for the joints and there is no jumping involved,” DeMore says. People see results in eight to 10 classes if taken three to four times a week.” Today, DeMore estimates her studio teaches about 200 students through its 26 classes each week. Even though DeMore is due in June, she has continued to teach classes at the studio. “I was teaching 12, but I’ve gone down to five.” Another aspect that DeMore enjoys about being a part of
the Pure Barre franchise is the aspect of giving back to the community. All Pure Barre franchises participate in Pure Give, a biannual fundraiser through which each franchise chooses a charity to support. In October, Pure Barre Sarasota chose Girls Inc. and, in March, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, in honor of their friend Donna Chen, who was killed Jan. 7 on Siesta Key by a suspected drunken driver. “Donna was one of our dear clients — and her sister, Cheryl Elsberry, is a teacher at Pure Barre,” she says. “I would see her at the studio, and I saw her as she was running that day, while my husband and I were riding our bikes to the studio. She was a huge cheerleader to Sara and me and was there from beginning.” Following the quick success of the Sarasota studio, DeMore will open a second May 21, in Lakewood Ranch. Longtime friend Bethany Dugger will run the East County studio. When DeMore has a break from work she says she enjoys spending her days outdoors or lounging on the beach. A self-proclaimed “beach rat,” DeMore enjoys all that Siesta Key has to offer — from the
Rachel S. O’Hara
scenery while biking to the beautiful beach. “Everything that I need is right here, and seriously, the beach is a big deal to us,” she says. The next few weeks will have some major milestones for DeMore with the opening of the
new studio and the delivery of her first baby. “It’s our first kid,” she says. “We have been married seven years, so it was the right time. I’m ready for throwing motherhood into the mix and more excitement and fun.” — Rachel S. O’Hara
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entree salads. Daily specials supplement theDaily regular menu supplement at both breakfast burgers and many entree salads. specials the Village Cafeofisthe open for breakfast lunchthat and includes regular customers, clientele. With and a staff many long-time regular menu at both breakfast and lunch. andthe lunch. employees, unusual for there be drinks set both locals and visitors, makeitupisn’t a large percentage of thetoclientele. With a on The also does personalized catering special table as long-time soon as employees, the cars drive “We really strive a cafe alsocafe does personalized catering for specialfor groups, andgroups, has put staff that includes many it isn’tup. unusual for there to for The and has put together everything from an ice cream social for team concept,” says Kay, who is also active in Village civic together everything from an ice cream social for 200, to barbecues and sitbe drinks set on the table as soon as the cars drive up. “We really strive for 200, to barbecues and sit-down dinners. associations. a team concept,” says Kay, who is also active in Villageatcivic associations. The family is also known for its frequent participation in Early risers can have breakfast 7 a.m. at Village down Cafe, dinners. charitable visit Tom, Kay and the whole gang at The family is alsoevents. knownCome for its frequent participation in charitable events. Early risers can a.m. closing at VillageatCafe, it’s available andhave it’sbreakfast availableat 7 until 2:30and p.m. Stuffed French the Cafe, you'll you did! Come visit Tom, Kay and be theglad whole gang at the Cafe, you’ll be glad you did! toast, served with either apricots or fresh with until closing at 2:30 p.m. Stuffed French toast, served with eitherapples apricots or cream