Balance Chestnut Hill to open on Willow Grove Avenue soon

Balance Chestnut Hill employees worked Friday afternoon to setup the gym at its new 18 W. Willow Grove Ave. location, which is slated to open Monday morning, according to Lisa Walker, a studio manager at Balance.

“We’re covered in dirt and sweat and trying to set our systems up,” said Walker, during a brief Friday afternoon telephone interview. She said the need for more room for personal training workouts precipitated the move from its current location at 5 E. Highland Ave.

The long delay

Balance Chestnut Hill’s relocation took longer than expected after an unrelated dispute erupted between Andrew Eisenstein, the owner of 18 W. Willow Grove Ave., and Richard Snowden, who owns a nearby building.

In May, the Philadelphia zoning board approved a needed variance to allow the gym to relocate, But Snowden demanded $18,000 to pay for damage caused by mini-buses used by one of Eisenstein’s tenants. Eisenstein balked on that proposition. Neither Eisenstein nor Bowman returned Newsworks calls seeking comment on whether this dispute has been resolved. 

Yogurt shop to open on E. Highland

Chill on the Hill, a pay-by-weight frozen yogurt store, will open in the former Balance location at 5 E. Highland Ave. the second week in September, according to co-owner Leslie Newbold. The store’s model resembles popular New York City locations where consumers can top their Greek, sorbet or frozen yogurt with various candies, granola, nuts and sauces.

“We will feel the loss of the summer,” said Newbold, a Plymouth Meeting resident. “But that will help us get ready for next summer. I think [frozen yogurt] is turning into an all-around all-season type of thing to do, like going to the movies.”