Just three days after opening, Clementine’s early morning classes, like the 10:15 above, were nearly full. (Photo by Danielle Tepper. Click to enlarge.)
By DANIELLE TEPPER
Effie Drossman was a Wall Street trader when she fell in love with stationary cycling.
“It was 20 years ago,” she said. “I took my first spin class and I was hooked. Trading was stressful and it became the one thing that could get me focused and in the zone. It was my time.”
Two decades later, Drossman’s passion for cycling became the basis of a new business venture with the opening last week of Clementine Cycling Studio at 611 River Road in Fair Haven.
Originally from Glen Rock, Drossman spent many years living in the city with her husband, Dave, before making her way to Fair Haven. “We lived here for two and a half years before we moved to Summit. It was beautiful there, but we missed this area,” she said. “The whole vibe is different, especially around the shore.”
The couple returned to Monmouth County and settled in Rumson four years ago. “It’s so pretty here, you can walk or ride everywhere,” she said.
After a varied career that included stints in technology and retail, Drossman decided to put her talents toward something she enjoyed.
“It was something I had always kind of thought about, but one morning it just hit me. It was my epiphany,” she said.
The decision to turn a hobby into a business was easier than expected.
“I really felt there was a market need for it here,” Drossman said. Indoor cycling is “definitely on an uptrend again, and I was tired of going to the Y or a gym and being shut out of a class.”
A year and a half after starting the process, the Drossmans leased the back studio of D’s Latin & Ballroom Dance Studio – formerly occupied by Fair Haven Karate. “I think the two businesses complement each other,” she said. “WeÂ’re just trying to create a local friendly place where people can come and get their workout in.”
So why ‘Clementine?’
“I love orange,” Drossman laughed. “I was brainstorming and one day my two sons were sitting at the counter eating clementines and I said, ‘that’s it!’” The color makes her think of fresh and fun things, not to mention energy, she said.
Clementine’s tagline reads, “It’s your time. It’s your ride. Make it count.” It’s a mantra she tries to live by.
“I wanted to create an uncluttered clean space, where you can come in and clear your head,” she said. “Leave whatever’s going on at the door and just ride.”
Clementine charges $15 to drop in, while also offering a 10-class pass for $120 or a monthly pass for $110. Reserve a spot online.
