September 3, 2025

Husband-and-Wife Entrepreneurs Opening First “The Little Gym” Franchise At Lakeside Village In Lakeland, Florida

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Lakeland Gazette

BALTIMORE, MD (September 3, 2025) – With two young children under the age of three and a third due later this year, Sara and Hunter Grignon have experienced first-hand the challenges of finding community and programs in the greater Lakeland area that provide enriching learning experiences for infants and toddlers. The couple finally decided to take matters into their own hands and are set to open a new The Little Gym franchise at Lakeside Village, a nearly 460,000 square foot super-regional lifestyle center, this December. The Grignon’s signed a lease with Continental Realty Corporation for 3,335 square feet of space at the retail venue located at 1489 Town Center Drive in Lakeland, just east of Tampa. Kristin Perry, Leasing Manager, Commercial and Monica Johnson, Senior Leasing Associate for CRC, represented the landlord in this transaction.

With more than 400 locations now operating in more than 30 countries, The Little Gym is an internationally-recognized child development and gymnastics center suitable for children four months to 12 years of age. Classes are designed to be a springboard for life’s adventures, with classes utilizing movement-based learning and imaginative play to enhance physical, cognitive, and social skills. Parent/child classes provide the opportunity for families to embrace community as they share in their child’s exploration of motor and social-skill development. All programming is aligned with the milestones set by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

According to Sara Grignon, the couple was attracted to The Little Gym’s three pillars of “Get Moving, Brain Boost and Citizen Kid,” which combine programming focused on improving balance, coordination and an active lifestyle with instruction that builds confidence, encourages kindness, and creates a community for both kids and their parents.

“We believe in teaching basic values and establishing a pattern of positive activity and stimulation at an early age to instill lessons that last a lifetime,” she said. “Too many young children these days are given video games to pass the time away, lack social skills due to isolation and are not motivated to engage in physical activity to promote overall wellness. The Little Gym is especially viable for first-time moms who are looking to establish a social and support network for both themselves and their young ones.”

She added that, beginning in January, The Little Gym is debuting a new program – Tummy Time – geared to newborns to four-month-olds, designed to help babies build strength, coordination, and confidence as they conquer some of the very first developmental milestones in babies. The Little Gym will also hold classes that incorporate dance and sports skills, offering classes that meet the interests of all little ones.

Hunter Grignon explained that the couple selected Lakeside Village based on the center’s “strategic positioning in Lakeland near Interstate 4 and 570, central location near its targeted customer base, and complementary tenant mix.” He added that The Little Gym hosts a program called “Parents Survival Night” in which local moms and dads can drop off their children in the evening and enjoy a kid-free night, while the youngsters engage with programming at the facility.

“Parents will know their children will be safe, having fun, and right around the corner while they visit the movie theatre or visit a restaurant,” he added. “We have spoken to a number of Lakeside Village tenants, and many have already expressed interest to become involved with Parents Survival Night, including special offers and free appetizers. That support has already made us feel very welcome at Lakeside Village.”

Acquired by CRC in 2023, Lakeside Village features more than 70 tenants, is anchored by Belk, CMX Lakeside Village 18 & IMAX, and Books-A-Million, and is shadow-anchored by Kohl’s. With Nordstrom Rack expected to open soon, Lakeside Village continues to offer a diverse mix of uses, including entertainment, medical/healthcare, fitness, food, and beverage, as well as 46,000 square feet of Class A office space. The open-air shopping center sits on 88 acres, including over 2,000 feet of frontage on Polk Highway, which connects to I-4 and the greater metropolitan areas of Orlando and Tampa.

“This exciting new addition reflects our team’s ongoing success in bringing innovative, community-focused tenants to Lakeside Village,” said Kristina O’Keefe, Vice President of CRC’s Commercial Division. “We especially love partnering with passionate husband-and-wife teams like the Grignon’s. Our investment in fresh branding and new retailers shows our commitment to making Lakeside Village a vibrant, inclusive destination to shop, connect, and enjoy.”

Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland and founded in 1960, Continental Realty Corporation is a full-service commercial real estate and investment company focused on acquiring and operating retail and multifamily properties. The privately held firm owns and manages a diversified portfolio of retail centers consisting of over eight million square feet of commercial space and more than 10,000 apartment homes across 14 states, with a portfolio valued at nearly $4.2 billion. For additional information, visit www.crcrealty.com.