LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA — A familiar downtown Lafayette shopping destination is getting a new kind of tenant. This one comes with Pilates reformers and a sauna, not pancakes or coffee.
MNTstudio is planning a location at 3569 Mount Diablo Boulevard, in the Lafayette Clocktower. The company is advertising a November 2026 opening on its Lafayette website.
If that address sounds familiar, there’s a reason.
A Familiar Downtown Address
It’s the same address as francesca’s (yes, it does have a lower case first letter!), the clothing boutique whose impending closure we reported on in January. At the time, staff confirmed that the store was liquidating its inventory and preparing to shut down.
The boutique occupied a very visible spot near Makers Market at the Clocktower.
As we noted in that earlier report, the shopping center had already been through some ups and downs. Store closures left gaps, but the arrival of the Breakfast Club helped bring people back, and now it’s thriving.
Now, a fitness business is adding another reason to visit.
Pilates, a Sauna, and Childcare
MNTstudio calls its concept a “Wellness Social Club,” combining workouts with amenities and social gatherings.
Plans for Lafayette include athletic reformer Pilates, an infrared sauna with red light therapy, and workout apparel. Its classes combine classical Pilates principles with athletic movements.
For local parents, another planned feature may be particularly useful: childcare.
The Lafayette page lists a $15 charge per child, with room for up to three children ages 0 through 7 at a time. Parents must remain onsite. The sauna is designed for up to two people per session, according to the studio’s announced plans.
The business already has a Bay Area presence, with locations in Palo Alto, Burlingame, Mill Valley, and San Francisco’s Marina neighborhood. Owners Barbara and Jason Mighdoll purchased MNT in May 2024, according to the company’s background page.
When Will It Open?
For now, November is the advertised opening month. The Lafayette page does not list a specific opening day.
The company is already selling founding memberships, advertising savings of up to 35%.
There’s also a chance to get acquainted with the business before the studio opens. MNT’s events calendar lists a free Lafayette Pilates in the Park event for September 13 at 10:30 a.m., with an RSVP link for details and registration.
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