Excel Fitness re-opening under new name; Games People Play to remodel

A string of Austin business changes will see multiple businesses in new locations, a fitness center under new ownership and another business in a remodeled space.

Scott Lewis is moving his physical therapy business downtown to 130 Third Ave. NW — the former office for attorneys Dan Donnelly and Paul Spyhalski — where Lewis and Tom Keyser will re-open what used to be Excel Fitness as Lewis Physical Therapy & Fitness Center.

Games People Play owner Lance Pogones closed Excel Fitness at 701 18th Ave. NW a few weeks ago, but Lewis and Keyser bought the fitness equipment to open a new center. Lewis had leased space adjoined to Excel Fitness, and several of his clients utilized the center.

“I think it’s going to be exciting to move downtown,” Lewis said.

Lewis’s father, Mike, ran both Lewis Physical Therapy and Excel from 1997 to 2010. Then Lewis took over the physical therapy and Pogones took over the fitness center, and the businesses continued to work in tandem.

Lewis Physical Therapy will be on 18th Avenue until the end of the month, and the business and fitness center should open downtown around June 30.

Excel Fitness had about 200 members when it closed. Though Keyser would like to see all return, he admitted some have likely joined other gyms.

Though Excel had members of all ages, the center often specialized in meeting the needs of senior citizens. That’s because Lewis said having the physical therapy business and fitness center side by side was ideal, because it allowed him to oversee and better instruct his clients.

“It works great for my patients,” he said.

After physical therapy treatments are finished, Lewis can still oversee their workouts and recovery. Other fitness members have stopped Lewis to ask about an injury and get a recommendation.

The fitness center will have two weight rooms, a cardio room, a physical therapy room and an office.

Keyser said they’ll offer flexible membership plans.

The new name — Lewis Physical Therapy and Fitness Center — is subject to change. Along with Keyser and Lewis, the business has two part-time workers.

Games People Play building in for remodel

Pogones plans to remodel his building at 701 18th Ave. NW to have new, highly visibly storefronts on the north and east sides of the building.

Along with reshaping the spaces for Games People Play and his screen-printing and embroidery business, Pogones plans to have at least one open space to lease out eventually, though he didn’t have a deal secured with a tenant.

Pogones has thought about remodeling the space, and now proved like a good time.

“Seems like the retail economy out here is improving,” Pogones said.

Donnelly, Spyhalski move to new office

In May, Donnelly and Spyhalski moved their shared office space a few blocks away to 211 Second St. NW — the old home of Belita’s Commercial & Residential Interiors.

The two lawyers have shared an office for the practices for several years, but moved to have more space, as Donnelly said the old space was getting crowded.

Donnelly owns the 211 Second St. NW and 130 Third Ave. NW properties.