Biz Buzz: Ashland Athletic Club expands in new location

For most of us, lifting anything heavier than a chair is either considered moving or a workout.

But to David Brown of Ashland, lifting things is a sport and a business.

The 185-pound, 45-year old Brown is competitive Olympic-style weightlifter and owner of the Ashland Athletic Club.

The club, which opened about two years ago, moved into a new location this month.

The new space, on England Street near Randolph Street in Ashland, is 7,500 square feet, more than double the size of his previous location.

The club also expects its Web site to launch this week.

Brown works individually with clients, many of whom are obese or who have had or are preparing for joint replacements.

"There are a lot of people who feel uncomfortable working out with dozens or hundreds of others," he said. "They don't want to be so public."

The club has about 3,500 square feet dedicated to personal training as well 1,700 square feet for classes. Brown employs eight instructors and offers yoga, pilates and Tai Chi classes.

"I'm trying to put together a facility like none other around here," Brown said.

One major difference between his club and others is that he doesn't charge monthly membership fees, but he does charge for personal-training sessions and classes. He does encourage personal-training clients to pay for a month's worth of sessions in advance.

"I try to get them to make a commitment so they are more motivated," he said.

Brown himself is showing clients how motivated he is. He is preparing to compete in November at the American Masters Weightlifting Championships in York, Pa. He had competed in the past but quit about 10 years ago, resuming competition two years ago.

Brown hopes to compete next year at the world championships in Poland.

Culinary shop coming

Netherlands-based Oil & Vinegar said it is looking to expand into the Richmond market.

The upscale culinary shop has five U.S. stores, including one in Charlottesville. It plans to open an additional 14 by the end of next year.

The company said its plans include two stores for the Richmond area that would be operated by a franchise owner.

Oil & Vinegar carries 25 types of olive oils, vinegar, olives, dried tomatoes as well as pastas and wines.

The company has not decided when or where it will open in the Richmond area. It is looking at possible sites and speaking with potential franchisees.

Green dealer

Siewers Lumber & Millwork has been certified as a "green dealer."

To qualify for the certification, Siewers employees had to train in environmentally friendly building practices. Employees needed to go through several training courses and then pass seven tests and a final exam.

"The certification was an education process that each of our associates went through, explaining how to build more efficiently and be more green in the process," said Michael Siewers, vice president of the 125-year-old company.

The Certified Green Dealer Program is administered by the lumber industry trade publication LBM Journal.

Halloween shop

Halloween World opens today in Henrico County.

The store will be in the former Rite Aid building at 8935 Patterson Ave. Rite Aid closed that store at the end of May.

The 9,600 square foot store will sell Halloween-themed costumes, makeup and party favors.

It will be open only through Oct. 31.

Halloween World is owned by Tim Hague, formerly a senior buyer at Circuit City.

CopyFax moves

CopyFax, a copier, printer and phone system dealer, has moved to its new digs in Chesterfield County.

Steve Serrao, a vice president overseeing the Richmond market, said the move was necessary because of an increase in business last year. The company also will hire two additional salespeople by the end of next month.

The new location is on Pocoshock Way, off Hull Street Road in Chesterfield.

CopyFax was in a temporary location for about a year as the new 5,500-square-foot space was being prepared.

The company is based in Virginia Beach.

Contact Louis Llovio at (804) 649-6348 or . Follow Biz Buzz on Twitter @RTDBizBuzz.