Spotlight on Bronxville Businesses: Bronxville Fitness Club, Fabio's Hair Studio & Wild Vine & Liquors
By Madeline Oden, Jane Staunton and Kerry Walsh of BXV for BXV Stronger Together
Bronxville Fitness Club
Bronxville Fitness Club staff in masks create a safe environment for fitness.
Bronxville Fitness Club is once again open. Owner Pat Acciarino's motto of "treat others as you want to be treated" accounts for the smiling eyes above masks that welcome you and the strict safety protocols Pat has put in place.
Pat lives and works in BXV. Born in Naples, Italy, he moved to the US with his family at the age of 9. His tailor father and seamstress mother believed in hard work, education and kindness. As a teenager, Pat worked in an Arthur Avenue delicatessen and hoped to open his own someday. His parents insisted on college.
After graduation from Fordham University, Pat worked for Deloitte and Touche specializing in Healthcare Accounting and Consulting working with all the major metro healthcare systems. A licenced CPA, he opened his own practice at 7 Pondfield Road in 1995. In his BXV travels, Pat noticed Bronxville Fitness Club, a small community-based gym.
He was so impressed he bought memberships for himself and his 6 employees. Then, 12 years ago he made a successful purchase offer. All who work and work-out at the Bronxville Fitness Club enjoy the sense of family nurtured by Pat Acciarino.
The facility passed its Department of Health inspection with flying colors. The gym is disinfected every hour, social distancing is practiced, members are provided wipes for the equipment, open doors encourage air flow, and a Merve 13 filter has been installed for the AC system.
So, if those 20 COVID pounds need trimming, stop by the Bronxville Fitness Club where emphasis is placed on the needs and safety of client of all ages.
Fabio's Hair Studio
Fabio co-owner, Fabio Gomez
Fabio's Hair Studio, a chic salon with abundant safety precautions in place, invites entry. Co-owners Emilie Cacace and husband and master stylist Fabio Gomez moved their Tuckahoe salon to its BXV location 20 years ago. Success followed them. How could it not when their top priority is for "clients to have the best experience of their day".
As a youngster in Argentina, Fabio came up in the San Lorenzo soccer system and made it to the First Division team. An ankle injury sidelined him so he detoured into hair styling and moved to the US. Today this Argentinian avidly roots for his favorite team, Barcelona (shush!).
Fabio connected long distance with Emi who was living in Argentina and working as a professor and business consultant. He flew to Argentina to meet her. Married soon after the couple share many interests -- travel, nature and photography in particular. They have held photo exhibits of their travels at the BXV library and private events in their salon.
What radiates from Emi and Fabio is their abundant appreciation for BXV. They are always looking for ways to give back, whether it is styling the kids' hair for the BHC annual play, working with Locks of Love or hosting an annual Halloween celebration for 200 kids in town. For them, business and the community is a two-way relationship and "gratitude is our motto."
Wild Vine & Liquors
Wild Vine & Liquors owned, Benjamin Ramirez, giving out bottles of wine to dedicated healthcare workers
Benjamin Ramirez opened Wild Vine & Liquors in October 2011 specializing in boutique family-owned wines. He even carries organic and vegan wines. The store name is taken from a book titled The Wild Vine: A Forgotten Grape and the Untold Story of American Wine.
Bennie's father, who made his own wine, inspired his son to open Wild Vine & Liquors. When his father passed away shortly before the opening, Bennie almost abandoned the dream as he had so wanted to share the venture with his father. Lucky for us, he pressed on.
Bernie is no stranger to life-altering events. After a Wall Street career was derailed by the 1987 crash, Bennie served 22 years with the NYPD, where he worked at the World Trade Center 9/11 crime scene.
Bennie was part of an emotional moment last April in the midst of the COVID pandemic. A drive-by, horn-honking, pot-banging tribute to the healthcare workers at Lawrence Hospital was held. Understanding how overwhelming circumstances can be, Bennie spontaneously came dashing out to give away 294 bottles of wine (22 cases) to dedicated healthcare workers. It was something he felt compelled to do, and not surprisingly, he did not think twice.
Prior to COVID, Bennie hosted Friday night wine tastings and hopes to again when restrictions are lifted.
Photo at top: A.Warner; other photos courtesy the local businesses
Editor's note: As a public service, MyhometownBronxville publishes articles from local institutions, officeholders, and individuals. MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements therein, and any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff.