How did an Oklahoma "stuntman" and a "fitness instructor" from the Jersey Shore become the founders of Ripley-Grier Studios?

   In 1984, the opening of West Side Rehearsal Studios in a newly built building at 131 West 72nd Street began a new age for New York rehearsal studios.  Patricia Ripley was the manager and taught her fitness classes on the 4th floor with construction continuing below. She had moved her studios from 133 West 72nd Street.  Previously she had taught and managed for the Lotte Berk Method exercise studio on the East Side and Bridgehampton for 7 years.  Butch Grier was managing Captain Nemos' Restaurant. He was an stuntman/actor from Oklahoma who packed up and rode his motorcycle to Manhattan on the journey of a lifetime. This is their story of the Ripley-Grier Studios.

   They met on West 72nd Street in the summer of '82 fell in love and moved in together in the spring of '83.  They began their life together poor but in love.  Patricia managed the studios while Butch worked at Captain Nemos,but in '84 Butch left Nemo's and managed a restaurant in Cape May, New Jersey.  They had a long distance romance; she took the bus down every weekend to be with him. After the season ended, he came back to the city to work for the contractor who built and owned the studios.  In '86, after the owner defaulted on the lease, they negotiated the takeover of the studio space.  They had no money but were able to hock some jewelry and get a personal loan of $2000. from Vicky, the owner of Captain Nemos.  They took over the West Side Rehearsal Studios in the winter of '87 and renamed them the West 72nd Street Studios.  They had 5 studios. Broke, but happy to have their own business, they moved into the 4th floor of the studios and lived in studio 4R for two years.  There was a hotplate, a portable tv and a bed on the floor.  They ran the business during the day and cleaned the studios during the night.  The days were long and the work was hard, but from that day on they never worked for anyone else and that was liberating.

   After the first year they hired part-time help and after two years they took over the final floor available in the building (the first floor) and moved into the back of that floor which had a kitchen and a shower. They created two more studios in that space and had 7 studios. They lived in 1R for two more years, then decided if they could rent 1R for most of the money it would take to rent an apartment they would move out and be offsite bosses, they found a place on West 82nd street.

   Soon they found that they needed more space to satisfy their clients and in 1990 they went looking for space and found it on 8th Avenue and 56th Street. That year they formed New York Spaces, Inc., the corporate name. The building they had found was an old building at 939 8th Ave and was in bad shape having been warehoused.  The expectations of demolishing the building and building a highrise fell through because the area was declared a landmarks district. So the owner opened it up for renters as it could not be torn down.  They built out the third floor and part of the 4th floor at 939 which had been old dance studios.  With the landlords help on construction they opened "8th Avenue Studios"

   For six more years they kept booking to capacity and in 1998 they begain looking to expand again and went to Mid-town.  They looked at many buildings but decided upon 520 8th Avenue as it had the size and price they were looking for.   In 1999 they built and opened the first "Ripley-Grier Studios" on the 16th floor (using their combined names). That complex of 7 studios became RGI.  That same year they adopted lovely Jeannie (Jean-Michelle) and her positive addition to their lives complemented this new endeavor.  They now had a total of 20 studios, and finally began to make a good living. In 2001 we broke through a wall and built RGII, adjacent to RGI. We added 5 more studios. In 2002 they were offered a space exactly over the RGII space and the landlord built a staircase to it. They built 4 more studios with an expanded waiting area. RG III opened and there was a total of 29 studios.  "Build them and they will come"

   RG IV, built in 2003 on the 16th floor was built using Feng Shui principles, (Patricia is a consultant).  These 10 beautiful studios were the most ambitious project to date, built to reflect their respect for their client's comfort and versatility, a true labor of love.  They then took two years off from construction, beginning an adventure into the world of producing shows again (They had done some Off-Broadway directing and producing in the late 80s).  This time it was a future Broadway musical called (at various times)”Lorca, “Deep Song” and “The Flamenco Poet”. 

   In late 2005 an opportunity came up to acquire another space on the 10th floor at 520 and a  lockout floor was built and they took a subtenant "Shut Up and Talk", a voiceover company.  After very creative construction which included a kitchen for lockout clients. They had a grand opening in the spring of 2006.  It is a beautiful complex where clients could have the whole space, which included three studios, an office and a kitchen   It was also designed with Feng Shui principles and it is a true “oasis”.  That year Ripley-Grier Studios was voted "#1" in New York by Backstage readers. (And twice more since then)

   That spring it was decided to use the "Ripley-Grier" moniker as the company name for all three locations, putting New York Spaces, Inc., the corporate name on the back burner.   Six months later they were offered the last space on the 16th floor and in 2007 built new corporate offices.  They were moved from West 72nd Street Studios. In that space they also built a café and food court.  It took quite an effort to realize the dream of giving clients an in-house place to eat and relax. The name of the cafe is Butch’s Café Oasis.

   One of Butch and Patricia's personal dreams was to have their son Shayne be a part of the business. In June of 2007 he moved his family, his wife Heather, sons Jackson and Ethan and 6 month old daughter Brooklyn to Atlantic Beach, near them, to begin a new life in New York. Shayne is a comedian and knew he had to try New York sooner or later, so with a job waiting managing the new café he and Heather made their decision to come up to the Big Apple. (He had spent many summers with Butch and Patricia over the years, and has friends in New York.

 
                      As we reflect on this year, 2010, we contemplate:

" Why is this an amazing success story, a true New York story? Ambition, smart moves in real estate, the desire to create a special place for artists and teachers, hard work, tough decisions, patience and love created a thriving partnership between two very different people from different backgrounds. Good Karma and Good Luck were important factors keeping the business going through many trials and tribulations.  In addition, in the 23 year history of this unique business. finding, hiring and keeping loyal, talented and hard working staff members added to an amazing story of growth and expansion in the greatest city in the world.  Some of them have become managers, raised families, and have been able to work for the studios while they plied their true callings in the performing arts.  They are amazing and supportive of Ripley-Grier Studios and we are so grateful for their professionalism and loyalty."
          " The support of our clients through the years has given us a true perspective of the dedication and sacrifice that New Yorkers have in our very special group of artistists, performers, teachers, and creative minds. Our clients are the best , most talented people in the world.  Thank you all!!"  Sincerely, Patricia and Butch

      
                                                         ……..to be continued…..