BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – The City of Bryan approved an economic development grant Tuesday to improve the East 29th Street shopping plaza and lay the groundwork for a new women-owned wellness center. The effort is supported by a Chapter 380 agreement with the City of Bryan, providing a matching grant of up to $100,000 for facade and walkway beautification improvements.
The future East District will be home to several local wellness and beauty businesses, including Piranha Fitness Studio, SoCo Head Spa & Blow Dry Bar and Dose Injection Lounge by Luna Skin. According to project masterminds, the innovative hub aims to be a one-stop destination for wellness and beauty needs, offering services such as hair styling, fitness classes and spa experiences. These businesses already serve hundreds of residents in the Bryan-College Station area, including Texas A&M staff, professors and students.
Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez emphasized the importance of the project during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
“We are thrilled to see the revitalization of the East 29th Street Corridor by local women-owned businesses. As a business-friendly City, that’s why we offer a Chapter 380 Agreement – to support efforts that revitalize important neighborhoods and promote economic development. These women business leaders are making a huge impact, and we’re proud to support their efforts,” said Mayor Gutierrez.
City Council Member Malka Ewers-Shatruref also voiced her support for the project, highlighting its potential to spur economic redevelopment and beautification of the area.
“The City of Bryan is excited to enter into a Chapter 380 Economic Development Agreement with these businesses. These businesses that will be relocating to East 29th Street are women-owned businesses. This agreement is especially beneficial to all parties involved because of their location along a major corridor. It provides incentives for businesses to relocate to Bryan and gives them the opportunity to receive reimbursement for renovation costs for their buildings,” Ewers-Shuttleff said.
“As the only woman serving on City Council, it’s so exciting to see women-owned businesses come here to Bryan and continue to thrive. Two businesses that we’ve been able to sign 380 agreements with are Piranha Fitness and SoCo Blow Dry Bar, and I’m happy to be a patron of both. Both are run by incredible women who have had great success in business, and I can’t wait to see them thrive in Bryan,” added Malka Ewers-Shuttleff.
The development comes as Piranha Cycle + Pilates, a community staple since 2011, plans to relocate due to demolition and construction work at its current location. Piranha founder Lindsay Greening saw this as an opportunity to revitalize a historic area of Bryan and give back to the community.
“We are incredibly grateful for the City of Bryan’s support of local small businesses,” Greening said. “The development of this new wellness center is our way of giving back to the community that has supported us for over a decade. We are excited to create a space that will inspire and benefit everyone.”
Stephanie Anderson, founder of SoCo Head Spa & Blow Dry Bar and principal partner in the business, expressed her enthusiasm: “The support from the City of Bryan is phenomenal. This matching grant is more than just financial support; it’s a testament to the city’s commitment to fostering a vibrant local business community. We are excited to work with other local women-owned businesses to bring this unique wellness hub to life.”
Robin Gage, owner of Luna Skin and Aesthetics, also said she is looking forward to having space in the new plaza and expanding her services with a new Dose Injection Lounge.
“I opened a clinic in Bryan that focuses on skin health and cosmetic injectables with a more natural, holistic approach, and we’ve been so blessed by the warm welcome from the community. We have a great clientele and have grown everything through organic referrals, so when this opportunity came along, I’d been thinking about opening a second location for quite some time. They say God brings great timing, and this truly was ours,” Gage said.
A grand opening event is planned for early fall. Store opening schedules are currently being determined and updates will be shared on social media.
“This wellness center is the first of its kind in Bryan, and what makes it even more special is that it’s a partnership between local women-owned businesses,” Greening added. “We’re doing this together thanks to the support of the city, and we couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come.”
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