Blog: Community in the Heart of Carlsbad Village

Founded: 2012

BAKES:  What made you decide to open a business in Carlsbad Village?

FERRARO:  I felt that Carlsbad Village needed an all-inclusive “community center,” a gathering place that was a healthy option and geared towards everyone. Carlsbad Village Yoga & Fitness (CVY&F) combines fitness and fun beyond just yoga by offering creative yoga fusion classes (combination of yoga and weight training or pilates) and unique yoga social events on weekend evenings.

BAKES:  What makes your business unique? What distinguishes what you do from other businesses?

FERRARO:  CVY&F is not only about fitness… we are about sustainability and community.  We offer a venue for community events, bring in local artists to display their works of art, invite local musicians to play, conduct drum classes, and even belly dancing lessons.  Beginning in December, we will have an option of classes for everyone: from in the belly with Prenatal yoga all the way through adulthood as we kick off our Mommy and Me, Little Lotus Yoga, and Young Yogis programs!

CVY&F partners with other local business to cross promote and host joint events in the village. We team up with Witch Creek Winery (candlelight yoga + wine tasting) and Danish Bakery (black light yoga + sangria and sweets) and Relaxing Coastal Massage (meditation yoga + massage and detox shake).  We are even teaming up with the community to raise money for various community causes and non-profits through a local business sustainability fundraising synergy called Causes for Community Carlsbad (C3), which will kick off on November 30.  Not only will C3 raise funds for our local community’s causes, but it is also designed to attract visitors to and increase awareness about the small businesses in Carlsbad Village.

BAKES:  What are some of the things that you would like Carlsbad residents to know about your business, that they may not already know?

FERRARO:  We make fitness accessible and affordable for everyone. CVY&F offers monthly FREE yoga classes and community potlucks.  We also offer solutions to those who can’t afford both yoga and child care through our Kids’ Club, with a per-session fee as low as $5 per child.  Carlsbad residents may also be interested to know they can come tour our hydroponic garden tower on our garden patio.  We grow our own organic herbs and vegetables to use along with vegetables from the Carlsbad Village farmers market in our donation Veggie Protein Detox shakes that we offer after our lunch time classes. 

BAKES:  What is your opinion on the current local economy in Carlsbad?

FERRARO:  In order to improve the local economy, local business owners need to focus on collaboration and creating synergies with each other. This is something I have been working toward using my past experience in “sustainability,” that is to say, working with non-profit organizations, local government, and businesses to sustain business through environmental, social and economic change.

BAKES:  What direction would you like to see for the downtown?

FERRARO:  I would like to see the entire downtown “pumped with more life.”  In order to drive this effort, we need community participation. On an extremely positive note, I am finding that other small business owners are responding with great interest and collaboration efforts to this local grassroots movement!

BAKES:  What other types of businesses would you like to see come to town?

FERRARO:  I would like to see more small businesses come into town to continue to re-gentrify downtown Carlsbad Village!

BAKES:  Closing comments?

FERRARO:  CVY&F is excited to continue exploring opportunities for small business alliances, so if you’re a small business owner, please stop by!  We have a community board and would love for you to share your products or services with our growing yoga and fitness community!

Mention Patch and give the gift of yoga!  During the month of November, buy 2 packages and get a third for FREE to gift for the holidays!  This is a $110 savings!

The author, George Bakes, is a real estate broker in the Del Mar office of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 2651 Via De La Valle, Del Mar, CA 92014, (858) 602-2799, george.bakes@coldwellbanker.com, www.georgebakes.net.