The Little Gym of Maplewood is scheduled to open its doors on Sept. 15, bringing its nationally recognized children’s enrichment and physical development programs to Essex County. The grand opening of the new 4,000-square-foot facility, located at 1807 Springfield Ave., marks a significant investment by ZAG Equity Partners, a privately held firm specializing in consumer and real estate ventures.
The investment firm is led by principals George and Andrea Wilson, who are also residents of Essex County. The Wilsons, who saw the positive impact of The Little Gym on their own child, recognized a need for similar services in their community. “The Little Gym of Maplewood aligns perfectly with that vision—providing a nurturing, fun, and enriching environment that helps children grow physically, socially, and emotionally,” George Wilson said.
The new location is expected to offer a variety of programs designed to build confidence, coordination, and social-emotional skills through movement-based learning and imaginative play. Popular offerings will include parent/child classes, enrichment programs for preschool and school-age children, and “Awesome Birthday Bashes.”
To oversee daily operations, ZAG Equity Partners has appointed Ashley Downey as general manager. Downey brings extensive experience in early childhood programming and team leadership. While this is ZAG’s first Little Gym location, the firm is exploring opportunities to expand the brand’s presence throughout the region.
