In the past six months, a Vitamin Shoppe, Subway and Planet Fitness gym have joined the already bustling Fordham Road shopping district, forming a revitalized commercial corner where Kingsbridge Road meets Fordham. 

“These three businesses are some of the projects we have been working on in Kingsbridge,” said Dan Bernstein, manager of the Fordham Road Business Improvement District (BID). “We really try and explain to business and property owners that some projects take long, but they will come.”

As with any business, the three have faced their share of obstacles since opening, but they are persevering.

“It was difficult for people to find out where we were,” said Manny Lopez, 23, manager of the Vitamin Shoppe. “After some advertising, we now have a lot of loyal customers that live in the area and used to shop in the city but can now come here.”

Planet Fitness has seen membership steadily improve since opening. “Our membership has been consistently increasing,” said Jessica Manfredi, 22, a Planet Fitness employee. “We have a lot of people who come here from Kingsbridge and Harlem. It’s convenient for them since the train (4 and D) is nearby and many people work in the area.”

Bernstein says the BID is looking to make more improvements in the Kingsbridge area, including to Bryant Park, located across the street from these three new businesses.

“Bryant Park is a $2.5 million dollar project where construction will begin in the spring of 2011,” said Bernstein, adding that he wants a good variety of shopping options in the area. “Many of the stores we put together include both private and publicly-owned businesses. It’s a healthy mix.”