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The Menlo Park Planning Commission approved a proposal during its May 19 meeting for AXIS Personal Trainers to relocate to the Menlo Station strip mall.
AXIS Personal Trainers, which is currently near the Menlo Park train station at 550 Ravenswood Ave., will move into the former CVS location in Menlo Station after AXIS’ current lease ends in 2026.
The CVS closed months ago as part of a nationwide shift by the drugstore chain in response to shopping patterns and the space has been vacant since.Â
AXIS claims it could not renew its lease at its previous location, which it had been at since 1996.
“We love Menlo Park. We did not want to go anywhere else,” Axis owner Scott Norton told the commission. “Thank goodness we’ve been able to find a new space here.”Â
The new space will include a small merchandise area, locker room, saunas and a recovery room, in addition to the main exercise area. Â
The move required planning commission approval as many parcels in the Downtown Specific Plan zoning area require gyms and wellness centers to obtain permits.
Amid vacancies in Menlo Park’s downtown, Vice Mayor Betsy Nash has suggested allowing more types of businesses in commercial areas of the city. However, Nash was concerned about the implications on downtown parking.
Separately, the city is attempting to build affordable housing on some downtown parking lots, much to the chagrin of business owners.Â
AXIS claims it supports other local businesses by bringing customers downtown.
“Everyone goes to Philz, to Saint Franks, to Cafe Borrone, to BevMo,” Norton said. He also added it could drive more business to Menlo Park Mongolian Barbecue, which operates in the adjacent space.
The planning commission unanimously approved AXIS’ use permit after a 14-minute hearing. “I’m very excited for you. I also did not want you to go to Palo Alto, god forbid,” Planning Commission Chair Andrew Ehrich said.
Currently, the city is reviewing an application to allow some animal stores, banks, business services and wellness services downtown. The application was submitted by the owner of 870 Santa Cruz Avenue, a new two story building in downtown Menlo Park, but was for the entire downtown zoning area.
The public comment period for the application has closed but the proposal has yet to come before the planning commission.
