By Daily Press staff
The make-up of downtown businesses has changed for the new year. Eight new stores have opened in the Bayside District, ranging from restaurants to clothing shops to a new gym.
Just in time to help redress the excesses of the holidays comes Equinox, a new three-level fitness facility with trainers, equipment and a variety of workout classes in a 33,000-square-foot facility.
The new facility just opened at Second Street and Santa Monica Boulevard. It is the third club for Equinox in the Los Angeles area and the 23rd location for the New York-based company.
The space includes strength and conditioning workout areas, a yoga-only studio, spinning classes and a main studio for ballet, boot camp and pilates, among other fitness offerings. Equinox also sports a full café and juice shop, a kids’ club, locker rooms with full amenities, a wet steam room and a full-service day spa. Fitness attire and accessories also is available for sale.
Also open is Boa Steakhouse at 101 Santa Monica Blvd. The contemporary American steakhouse features 43 wines by the glass and all prime dry-aged beef served in what’s been described as a hip, sophisticated urban environment.
Santa-Monica based Hard Tail, named the “best young contemporary resource” at the recent Dallas Fashion Awards, tentatively is scheduled to open its first retail store and flagship in 6,400 square feet at 1322 Third Street Promenade in late January. Retailers throughout the United States and in 32 countries sell the Hard Tail line of active sportswear for men and women.
Several other businesses have opened in the past month. Among them is Club Monaco, 1225 Third Street Promenade. The Promenade store is one of 65 U.S. and Canadian stores for the international chain that carries men’s and women’s clothing and accessories.
New to downtown Santa Monica is Skinny Minnie at 1435 Third Street Promenade. This is the first retail location for the clothing maker recognized by its signature tees with their images conjuring time periods past.
Another clothing seller, Basement the $10 Store, has opened off the Promenade at 1420 Fourth St. with merchandise for the price conscious.
Kidrobot brings its vision of the world to 1435 Third Street Promenade. Kidrobot was among the first companies to introduce urban vinyl and plush toys to the U.S. market.
Austin-based Wild About Music has opened a store at 1450 Second St. between Santa Monica Boulevard and Broadway, and is dedicated to entertainment-themed art and gifts. At Wild About Music are original paintings and limited edition prints by more than 50 national, international and local artists, as well as musicians such as Bob James and Jerry Garcia. Specialty and accessory lines available include Fender, Dragonfly and Wild About Music. Wild About Music plans to host special events, live music performances and art shows in part of their 7,000 square feet of space.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 4, 2005. Read the original PDF.