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p24 weekender july 5 1986 no cookie cutter plaza his 10 million dream comes true he had a 10 million dream markham village lanes three years ago was just a mere idea in the mind of man ny elkind for years he had taken part in the proliferation of many familiaryet utilitarian modern shopping malls he decided that it was time for something different than what he calls cookie cutter plazas with only 30 shops the retail enclave on main st is certainly no competitor with the large shopping centres instead he felt that mar kham village lanes had a niche of its own that could blend in well with the historic flavor of the old town of mar kham the variety of shops include a heritage home converted into a restaurant and banquet hall a womens fitness centre a convenience store a lingerie boutique a gift shop a womens fashion store and a variety of offices he noted that each merchant is responsible for the costs arising from re novations by next summer the town of markham has plans to improve the street walks and putting the overhead cables and wires underground thereby enhanc ing main streets ambience and charm he added when mr elkind approached mayor carole bell and city planners with his prop osal the response was one of en thusiasm they felt that because of the major regular shopping centres the street was losing out markham village lanes plaza which opened last fall offers 30 stores on markhams main st developer manny elkind wanted to create a different kind of plaza to complement the old villages atmosphere mr elkind shared the muni cipalities concern i saw that the town of markham should not be wasted armed with market studies on the demographics and needs of residents in the markham area and the common sense that comes with a long involve ment in the retail merchandise marketing trade he has come to the conclusion that there is a definate change in buying attitudes people are more sophisti cated knowledgeable and aware today he explained there is a major segment of the community that wants to spend a little more time in areas where they can feel more comfortable and relaxed he said even in picking out what flowers are going to hang out side receives a lot of attention so that just the right atmos phere and feeling is created determining which tenants would eventually set up shop at markham village lanes was one of the most crucial and dif ficult tasks he said we want shopowners that have a sense of pride and accomplishment with long- term goals mr elkind described the majority of his tenants as young first time retailers who are building a business rather than a livelihood many of the village lanes shopkeepers chosen are more likely to derive greater satis faction from owning a business that offers a top quality service or product in pleasant sur roundings he said than those who dont care about the pro duct they sell or are just con cerned about making quick profits markham village lanes at 144 main st n also has ample parking for more than 230 cars not a male preserve women only at this local fitness club fitness clubs until recently have been strictly a mans world a veritable no- womans land markham village womens club in the heart of markham village lanes gives women the opportunity to get into shape in an environment where they dont have to feel self- conscious about their appear ance what i have found is that a lot of women are more com fortable working out without men said fitness instructor and owner rosalie campagna- brown here they exercise with their peers so they dont have to worry growing up in unionville she has always been in- rosalie compagnabrown fitness lifestyle encouraged volved in sports while attending markham district high school she was actively involved in volleyball and track and field and went on to major in recreation kinesiol ogy and business at the uni versity of waterloo after gra duating she managed a suc cessful fitness club there for two years this year mrs campagna- brown and a friend jeff mas- lanka were recent finalists in the nationwide crystallight aerobics competition she teaches the advanced aerobics class from monday to friday at 530 pm in fact she says the entire 16 members on her staff are qual ified fitness instructors the fitness club is oriented toward women of all ages and walks of life from professional women to housewifes a day care centre open daily from 9 am to 330 pm is located on the premises for mothers who cant get away fom the kids as the general public be comes more educated they be come aware that fitness is not a fad but rather it is a lifes tyle she said something they would want to keep be nefiting from for their entire lives and you wont find any belt- machines and rollers fads made popular in the 1950s to shake away or roll off the pounds at this club instead the instructor believes that working up a good sweat is the ticket to a healthier body to lose weight dieting by itself is not the key she ex plained a combination of markham village womens club offers modern equipment especially designed for use by women the centre caters specifically to women with a daycare centre and programs tailored to their needs exercise and healthy eating is one woman upon losing up wards of 60 lbs not only looked and felt better but also under went a total personality change she said getting into shape improved her confi dence and greatly enhanced her selfesteem the fitness club offers four different levels of aerobics in struction on special double sprung floors the elevated wooden floor carpeted and thickly padded is designed to cushion the impact and stress on the joints and muscles she also noted that although a lot of women are intimidated by weights the clubs weight equipment has been scaled down to suit women the bench press bars for ex ample are not as wide as those normally found at fitness clubs and are made to accomodate a womens nar rower shoulders weights also increase in increments of 25 lbs rather than the standard 10 lbs she added markham village womens club also offers exercise bicy cles a glassfronted whirlpool overlooking the gym private showers sauna change rooms and year round sun tan ning facilities despite greater public awareness of the importance of fitness about 96 per cent of the population thinks about getting in shape but only four per cent actually do it