The Tuttle Building project, a mainstay downtown brick structure, was the former home of 1917, Tuttle Brothers Auto Parts business. The Army Corps of Engineers used it during World War II as a military storage center. After having been completely updated, it is now the new expanded workout facilities, nutritional cafe, and business offices of The Fitness Cellar.

“We did not even consider leaving downtown,” said Tammy Beam, co-owner with Stacy Garrett, both are Certified Personal Trainers. They have a vision for downtown. “We want to be a part of the downtown revitalization – see people walking downtown, going to the park. We want to see the historical buildings refurbished. That is one of the biggest reasons why we chose the Tuttle Brothers building.“ The former site of the first tavern in Springfield, the Tuttle is a two-story building at the corner of East Main and North Spring streets.

The newly renovated building also gives their business new life. The Fitness Cellar expanded from 2,000 square feet to 7,000 square feet on the upper floor of the building, with a patio, and street level entrance off Spring Street.

The additional space accommodates more workout equipment, including the addition of 20 new spinning bikes. And, another key reason for expansion was space to add an XRKade gaming system – translation: a WiFi video game on steroids. “It’s where gaming and fitness come together,” said Stacy Garrett. “Every station can offer a separate game – boxing, climbing, dance, and snowboarding – with the participant serving as the joy stick. The Fitness Cellar invested over $70,000 in the equipment; it’s a novel and fun idea – getting kids and adults moving while playing a video game. Businesses, groups, and organizations can rent out the use of the facilities and the XRKade system – use it as a team building exercise or a way to reward employees. It is currently the only one of its kind in the state.

Soups, salads, sandwiches, nutritional drinks, coffee and breakfast foods are also available from the “Cafe and Hydration Station,” for those who want to workout, grab a quick-bite before work or during lunch hour. Among other amenities is the children’s activities/play area, available for parents while they use the facilities, and a convenient off street outside patio.

“The reuse of Tuttle Brothers Building has been very rewarding renovation project,” said Chris. “I’d rather work twice as hard to figure out a way to make a building like Tuttle work than take it down – it’s worth it because of the character of the structure and the location you get,” said Simonton. “That’s not to say that Tectonic does not build new – we do when it makes sense.”

“We’re trying to do some positive things – make a positive impact,” Simonton said; “We took on Edison Center and converted it into a updated, technically savvy – totally new Commerce Pointe. The Tuttle Brothers Building will definitely have an impact on getting people in the downtown area – every small step makes a big difference in the revitalization of a community’s urban center.”