Health-conscious firms develop hub in Arlington Hts.

A community of health-conscious businesses is growing and supporting one another in downtown Arlington Heights.

With Pure Juice Cafe, Pulsation Yoga and Rush Performance all in the same shopping center off Evergreen Avenue, owners said they have become something of a hub for health-devoted customers in the area.

"It seems like a lot of old spaces are being revamped with new, more health-oriented businesses coming in, said Paulina Kadzielawska, owner of Pure Juice Cafe, 24 S. Evergreen Ave. Pure Juice Cafe opened about 18 months ago and is a raw, vegan food restaurant that serves smoothies, meals and desserts all from fresh ingredients.

"When you make raw foods you have full control over all the ingredients," she said. "I love they are filled with vitamins, nutrients. It's just overall good for your body."

Now with running studios, boxing gyms and yoga studios all within walking distance, Kadzielawska said she runs Pure Juice almost as a pharmacy, prescribing what juices might be best for customers based on what workouts they are doing.

"People tell us how they feel and what they are doing, and we help them pick the best thing," she said. "It goes hand in hand."

The health-oriented businesses share customers but also support one another.

"We feel like the community is growing, and that's just amazing for me to see," Kadzielawska said. "The customers who come in are more aware. Maybe they start their day with yoga, then they come get a juice instead of going for coffee."

Pulsation Yoga opened in the center about 3½ years ago, and owner Jim Simonik said he has seen new fitness studios come into town each year.

"There is a crazy trend right now for yoga studios; everyone's jumping on the bandwagon," he said, adding that there are seven yoga studios within a one-mile radius of his location at 26 S. Evergreen Ave. and five within just a three-block radius.

"But yoga is not a trend. It's actually been around for 1,000 or 2,000 years," Simonik said.

Simonik said the businesses cross-promote one another and help with marketing for classes or special events.

"It's a beautiful fit to be near Pure Juice," he said.

Also in the center is Rush Performance, a personal training studio at 10 S. Evergreen Ave.

Other downtown fitness businesses are Sub5, a running performance studio at 43 S. Dunton, and longtime staple Runners High 'n' Tri at 121 W. Campbell St. Last year another fitness studio, 9 Round, joined the group, offering kickboxing classes at 15 S. Dunton Ave.

"People are just more focused on wellness now," Kadzielawska said. "What they do with their body and what they put in their body."