Royal building expanded for exercise classes

ROYAL CITY — In case you’ve been wondering about the recent building expansion at 138 Camelia St., that’s owner Esmeralda Guerrero making space for an exercise studio operated by farmworker-turned-entrepreneur Petra Lopez.

Lopez is an Herbalife distributor, but this is not a normal Herbalife distributor story. Herbalife allows its distributors to innovate, and that’s what Lopez is doing.

In addition to the home visits she makes building her downline, Lopez has a retail Herbalife fountain at 138 Camelia. She decided to open it after suggestions from people who wanted to enjoy Herbalife nutritional products but weren’t necessarily ready to do the business.

“They wanted to be able to stop in and have their Herbalife one day at a time,” Lopez said.

For $5, Lopez’s customers receive Aloe Herbal Concentrate, Herbal Tea and Healthy Meal (a 16 oz. shake).

Lopez keeps hours that accommodate the customers. Monday-Saturday the Herbalife Nutrition Club is open from 5 a.m.-12 p.m. and 6-8:30 p.m. and from 7-12 on Sundays. Many of the early morning customers are truckers heading out for the day.

Lopez and her husband do necessary things for their household or business during the long weekday breaks. But they also take time for themselves, like having a nice lunch in Yakima.

Lopez came to Royal City at 22 to do farm work. She had no thoughts of doing business. She tried Herbalife only because of her health.

“It was not good,” she said. “I was spending a lot of money on health care.”

A man she met through the business and later married had similar challenges. He was carrying 345 pounds on his 6-4 frame and wanted a change. He now operates an Herbalife fountain in Mattawa.

“People asked me to open a store,” Lopez said. “They wanted easier access to the products.”

There were 25 customers on opening day earlier this year. There are 30-35 daily now. That may not seem like much growth but, for Lopez, it’s enough. Once in a while, a customer will become interested in the business.

Lopez has downline in Washington, California and Mexico. Her biggest monthly check (not shared) has been $3,800. She has earned a vacation in Hawaii and a cruise to the Bahamas.

This new step for Lopez, which she is calling Family Wellness Center Exercise Salon, was also suggested by others. Lopez has contracted Zumba Dance Instructor Sandy Reyes to help people exercise and enjoy it too.

There will be exercise classes from 6-7 p.m. and 8-9 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays.

“People are stressed,” Lopez said. “They’re in a hurry. They don’t eat well. They need to slow down a little and enjoy life.”