Staff photo by Fritz Busch Samarah and Dave Forster of Sleepy Eye will hold an open house for their new dance studio, Flo Dance Company, 221 W. Main Street in Sleepy Eye from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30. They plan to host yoga, zumba, swing, ballet, jazz, ballroom, wedding dances and more.

SLEEPY EYE — Samarah Forster said she’s always wanted to have her own dance studio.

“We came across this building that housed an electric shop decades ago, saw the upstairs apartment and thought it would help cover expenses,” she said.

“Samarah managed dance studios where we met in Virginia and has been a dance instructor for almost 20 years,” said her husband, Dave Forster.

Besides starting a business with his wife, Dave is editor of the Sleepy Eye Herald-Dispatch

“We loved the idea of trying to turn around an old Main Street building,” he said.

“It’s a big undertaking. It took us almost a year to get it ready,” she said.

Flo Dance Company, 221 W. Main St. hosts an open house with free lessons from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30 just a few doors down from the highway 4 and 14 stoplight.

Samarah said five area instructors will lead yoga, Zumba, swing, ballet, jazz and wedding dance sessions and more.

Dave said the business name, Flo Dance Company, is named after the couple’s youngest daughter Florence.

Samarah said the first dance class features Zumba (a fitness program involving cardio and Latin-inspired dance).

Swing dancing will be taught by Samarah, who choreographs (dance composition) and directs plays and musicals for area schools and community theater groups.

The third class of the day Nov. 30 will be ballet.

“We plan to teach dance to everyone from young grade school children to retirees,” said Dave.

“A lot of women came to us and said they were dancers in their younger days and have no dance classes in the area now. We’ll offer ballet based on technique for kids plus adult classes,” she said.

He said part of the fun of the business is getting people to try something fun and new.

Dave is an example of that.

“When we were married, Dave had never danced before. I taught him dance and he’s pretty amazing,” she said.

“She can teach dance to anyone who may not be familiar with dancing,” he said.

Samarah said guys often really get into dancing after they realize they don’t have to be nervous about it and can have fun in front of their family.

Last January, the Forsters began completely remodeling the retail space and apartment with lots of help from local contractors.

Lots of mirrors and a new floor were added.

Dave said a new exterior LED sign with “Flo” in 42-inch letters will soon be added.

“It should help create more foot traffic on Main Street. People will be able to take a yoga class, then walk down the street and get a smoothie,” said Samarah.