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Palma Ceia West

Gymboree more than a job for new owner

Denise Darr of South Tampa Gymboree never thought of herself as an entrepreneur until she worked with kids.

By ELIZABETH MILLER
Published February 25, 2005

Before Denise Darr came to work for Gymboree Play & Music of South Tampa as a part-time instructor, she never imagined herself as an entrepreneur.

Years later, Darr, 35, is the new owner of the South Tampa Gymboree, as well as locations in Sarasota, Bradenton and Brandon.

Darr replaces Rachel Tilow, a familiar face to many moms since she opened the South Tampa franchise in 1989.

"We will miss Rachel tremendously," said Sherri Greenberg of Beach Park, whose three children have attended Gymboree classes. "She remembered all the parents' names and kids' names. That makes you feel special, like they really do care."

Darr joined Gymboree nine years ago while working part time at Baby Boomerang, a children's consignment store in South Tampa. Leading kids in song and play, instructing with bubbles and a big parachute, she instantly connected with young children.

"I just bond with the kids," Darr said. "It's a job that's very rewarding."

Darr quickly became a full-time employee, then manager. She and Tilow discussed Darr's buying the South Tampa franchise but put plans on hold when Darr married and moved to Sarasota.

Darr went to work as the preschool director of a Sarasota gym, which taught cheerleading and gymnastics.

"We moved to Sarasota to live in this house on the water . . . but it wasn't fulfilling for me," she said. "I missed Gymboree."

When Darr learned that the Sarasota Gymboree was for sale, she acted quickly. She and her husband, Dale, purchased the Sarasota and Bradenton locations in August. Three months later, they bought the Brandon business.

Although excited to return to Gymboree as an owner, her goal of owning the South Tampa location stayed with her.

This month, Tilow transferred the helm to Darr, who plans to move back to South Tampa.

Tilow opened the South Tampa franchise because as a new mother new to South Tampa from Philadelphia, she found no similar programs here. She started the infant and toddler classes in the Palma Ceia Christian Church on Bay to Bay Boulevard, then opened a North Tampa location on Linebaugh Avenue, which she later sold.

Now, with her son in college, Tilow said she is ready to find a new challenge.

"I feel fortunate to have stayed in this business for 16 years, and to have worked with great instructors and other franchise owners, and see kids and families grow," Tilow said.

Although the South Tampa location moved a few times before recently settling at 2219 S Dale Mabry Highway, the clientele has remained faithful.

Darr says that, although she's made changes at her other locations, little will change at the South Tampa facility.

"My other sites are very corporate looking," she said. "The South Tampa site is very boutique-ish, very Soho. I think it's wonderful, and I won't change that."

Darr plans to open a Gymboree in Clearwater in the next few months, a first for Pinellas County, she said.

As Darr continues to grow her business, she says she has found her niche.

"There is such a happy feeling at Gymboree that you can't replicate anywhere else," she said.

[Last modified February 24, 2005, 09:35:09]