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Commissioners approve special-use permit for K Bar Hinsdale barre studio at Gateway Square
Summary
Hinsdale commissioners unanimously approved a special-use permit on Jan. 8 for K Bar Hinsdale (a Bar Method franchise) at 777 N. York Road, Unit 19. The owners said classes will be 45–60 minutes, staff will be local, and no exterior construction is planned.
Hinsdale commissioners on Jan. 8 unanimously approved a special-use permit for a Bar Method franchise to operate as K Bar Hinsdale at 777 N. York Road, Unit 19, in the B-1 Community Business District.
The permit allows a physical fitness facility in the Gateway Square shopping center. Applicants Kate Karam and Chris (last name not given) told commissioners the studio will offer five class formats, 45- to 60-minute sessions, and will rely on on-site, interior-only improvements; they said the business will hire local instructors and that the franchise provides compliance drawings for buildouts.
Why it matters: the approval adds an active-use tenant to a partially vacant shopping center and establishes a local fitness option that owners and commissioners said could drive foot traffic and complement nearby retail and restaurants.
Key facts and applicant statements
- Business and location: K Bar Hinsdale (Bar Method franchise), 777 N. York Road, Unit 19 (Gateway Square). Applicant identified herself as Kate Karam; her husband Chris participated in the presentation.
- Operations: classes will be small-group, 45–60 minutes long; the franchise offers five class types including an express 45-minute option, strength and cardio formats and a flow/yoga-style offering. Karam said the studio emphasizes community as much as fitness: “Our mission is to fulfill each transformative class, each empowered client, and every meaningful connection that helps make our community stronger one movement at a time.”
- Staffing and community ties: Karam said she will hire local teachers (two were present) and that she plans to be active in the community; she also said she has taught Bar Method previously in Chicago.
- Parking and site capacity: staff and commissioners examined parking calculations. Staff reported available parking in Gateway Square is adequate under code assumptions and estimated roughly 33 to 48 spaces based on gross-to-net square-footage assumptions; commissioners asked the applicants to avoid using parking directly adjacent to residential backyards for early-morning staff parking as a courtesy to neighbors.
Vote and next steps
- Motion to approve case A-44-2024 (special-use permit for a physical fitness facility) was moved by Commissioner Kirillenberger and seconded by Commissioner Willoughby. Roll-call vote: all aye.
- The approval permits interior buildout subject to building permits and standard inspections. The applicants will return to staff for required sign-permit review when ready to install signage.
Commissioners’ remarks
Commissioners expressed support for placing an active, locally run business in Gateway Square and welcomed the applicants’ local ties. Several commissioners said parking and early-morning staff parking patterns should be managed to minimize disturbance to nearby residences; applicants agreed to the courtesy. One commissioner noted vacancy in the complex and said a fitness studio is a positive reuse.
