In March of this year, we wrote about Arthur Murray Dance taking over the lease of the former Yoga Loft space. With a predicted opening date of mid-April, Arthur Murray is behind schedule—and now we know why. Thanks to a tip from reader Amy R., we looked into the issue, and learned that an investigation has begun into whether the dance studio may be in violation of San Francisco's formula retail laws.
The ballroom dance studio offers both private and group lessons in dance styles such as salsa, swing, and tango. According to its website, Arthur Murray has over 260 studios in 21 countries around the world, putting it well above San Francisco's formula retail definition of 11 locations worldwide.
Formula retail regulations have prompted crackdowns on a number of proposed businesses in the city. Recent cases have included Kit & Ace on Hayes Street, as well as Quickly's recent opening and sudden closing in the Inner Sunset.
Daisey Lynam, who owns a number of Arthur Murray studios in the Bay Area with her husband Chris, told us that a hearing has been scheduled to appeal a possible Formula Retail restriction. Plans are in place to open the studio in August, she said.
Meanwhile, the ground floor space at 321 Divisadero, which used to be home to the Other Shop before it caught fire in 2013, is finally seeing some action. A women's-specific crossfit studio called Salt Fitness has registered its business name at the address, and have also filed an affidavit stating that it's not a formula retail business. We'll let you know details as we find out more.
