The Little Gym storefront at 3176 Main Street, Suite 400, in Duluth. — The Little Gym of Duluth storefront on Main Street. Photo: The Little Gym of Duluth / Facebook.

A former Swedish national-team gymnast and a former Atlanta Ballet dancer are opening a children’s movement and gymnastics center together in downtown Duluth.

Annette and Melissa Mitchell, a mother-and-daughter team, begin a two-week soft opening for The Little Gym of Duluth on Monday, Nov. 2. A public grand-opening celebration is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14.

The gym serves children from 4 months through age 12 at 3176 Main St., Suite 400. Its programs combine gymnastics and imaginative play with age-specific work on coordination, listening, confidence and social development.

Annette competed on Sweden’s national gymnastics team and spent 25 years coaching before entering the corporate world. Melissa performed professionally with the Atlanta Ballet.

Their plans took shape after Melissa enrolled her daughter in a class at The Little Gym. The experience revived a longstanding conversation between mother and daughter about building a business together and gave them a way to return to the fields that had shaped their own lives.

Children and adults take part in a colorful parachute activity beside The Little Gym of Duluth booth outside Duluth City Hall. — A parachute activity at The Little Gym of Duluth booth outside Duluth City Hall. Photo: The Little Gym of Duluth / Facebook.

“This has always been more than a business idea for us, it’s personal,” Melissa Mitchell said in the opening announcement.

A first look before the grand opening

During the soft opening, families can try introductory classes. Parent-child programs serve babies and toddlers, while preschool and grade-school classes introduce tumbling and gymnastics equipment through lessons adapted to each age group.

The program is designed as developmental recreation rather than competitive gymnastics training. Younger children participate with a parent while exploring movement, balance and early listening skills. Older students work on tumbling, strength and progressively more difficult gymnastics skills.

Private birthday parties are another part of the business, with instructors leading games, music and activities inside the gym.

The Main Street location adds a family-oriented option to downtown Duluth, where nearby restaurants, shops and public gathering places give parents options before and after a class.

The Nov. 14 celebration is planned to include children’s activities, refreshments and a raffle for a private birthday party. Families who enroll by the grand opening may qualify for founding-member rates.

Current introductory membership prices are $96 per month for one class per week on a monthly plan, $88 per month for one weekly class on a 12-month plan, and $168 per month for a premium monthly plan with two classes each week. Families should confirm enrollment terms with the gym.

The Little Gym operates nearly 400 locations in 31 countries. Its Duluth location joins other Georgia centers, including a gym in Cumming.

The Little Gym of Duluth is at 3176 Main St., Suite 400. Families can register for an introductory class through the Duluth gym’s website or call 678-935-4983.