Warren Scott NEW BUSINESSES — The Follansbee Chamber of Commerce welcomed the owner and staff of Fresh Twist to their second location in the Bluewave Center, formerly Follansbee Middle School, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The business offers a variety of tasty smoothies made with natural products. Holding the scissors is Shawna Murphy, the location’s manager; and to her right are Chamber President Eric Fithyan and Angela Lombardo, the business’ owner.

FOLLANSBEE — Whether they are helping individuals of all ages to stretch or tone their muscles or serving up a cool drink made with natural ingredients, three new Follansbee businesses share a common goal of helping people to feel better.

Members of the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Fresh Twist, Syna Bluewave and Bluewave 24 Hour Fitness to the Bluewave Center at 1400 Main St.

The building is the former Follansbee Middle School, purchased by Ewusiak Development in 2020 after it was closed by the local school board.

Through the efforts of Scott Ewusiak and his crews, classrooms and other areas of the building have been remodeled and repurposed for a variety of businesses.

For example, the former home economics classroom is now home to a second location for Fresh Twist, a business known in Steubenville for bringing together a variety of nutritious foods as delicious entrees and smoothies.

Owner Angela Lombardo said she developed the business after seeking a local eatery specializing in health food that would work against health conditions faced by her daughter and finding few choices.

Opened in 2019, just before the pandemic, the Steubenville location faced the challenges presented to many food-based businesses while working to get its name and style out to the public.

Perhaps because the pandemic led many to thinking about their health, Fresh Twist not only survived but also thrived, said Lombardo.

And its success has spilled across the Ohio River to Follansbee, where it’s offering more than a dozen refreshing drinks.

Shawna Murphy, who manages the Follansbee shop, said the selection includes the following favorites:

• The Painkiller, which contains mango, pineapple, ice, orange turmeric and ginger complex and coconut milk.

• The Fresh Twist Drumstick, with chocolate protein, peanut butter, banana, ice, coconut milk, almond milk, granola and optional chocolate chips.

• Purple Rain, which includes organic blueberries, banana, almond milk and peanut butter drizzle.

• The Bluewave which, designed specifically for the new location, has mango, pineapple, banana, vanilla protein, dates, almond milk and peanut butter.

Murphy said a seasonal drink, known simply as the Pumpkin One, is proving quite popular.

She noted many of the drinks can be made a more solid concoction for a bowl-sized snack while adding there are plans to add more solid items to the Follansbee menu.

Another Fresh Twist offering that has been carried over to Follansbee is its acai bowl, which contains organic acai, bananas and peanut butter blended into a cream with almond milk and topped with granola, peanut butter drizzle and banana slices. Frozen berries, chocolate chips and vanilla protein are optional.

With its own entrance at the building’s southwest corner, the shop is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Orders may be placed in person or in advance by calling (304) 527-7332 as well as through DoorDash.

While the business prepares many orders to go, there is some seating inside and plans for outdoor seating after winter.

“This is awesome — to have nutrition and fitness under one roof,” remarked Lombardo, who referred to her close neighbors, Syna Bluewave and Bluewave 24 Hour Fitness, which operate in the former school gym and music room.

Warren Scott
NEW BUSINESSES — Peter Messer, left, and Ralph Petrella shared the scissors for a ribbon cutting for Syna Bluewave and Bluewave 24 Hr Fitness, two new businesses at the Bluewave Center, formerly Follansbee Middle School, that were welcomed recently by the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce. The two gyms are geared toward people who need help in developing an exercise routine, particularly following an injury, and those who go it on their own.

Behind them are Peter Messer, Ralph Petrella and Josh Pyles, all certified strength and conditioning specialists.

Messer, who also is a certified athletic trainer, said the difference between the two is Syna offers assistance to those new to an exercise routine or regaining their strength following an injury or surgery.

Petrella said the name comes from snyapse, the neurological path through which signals are sent from the brain to other parts of the body, and their goal is to help a client build a strong connection between their mental and physical well-being.

He said a full body evaluation is done for Snya’s clients to determine the best exercise routine for them and they have developed programs for various ages and physical needs.

“Our goal is to ensure our clients are always ready for life, whatever that life may be,” he said.

It is open from 5 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday.

Bluewave 24 Hour Fitness is a self-guided gym, which members may access any time through a keycard system.

Messer said the gym’s wide array of equipment includes an Olympic bar and plates, yoke bars, squat racks and loaded kegs on an indoor turf.

Spin and yoga classes also are offered at the gym.

For information about the gyms, call (304) 527-7332 or visit the Bluewave 24 Hour Fitness Facebook page.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)