When it comes to businesses in the city that have been around for decades and have also served their clients and community at a high level, few can match Bridgeport Physical Therapy. Because of that, the business has thrived for years at its Main Street location just off Virginia Avenue.

 

The thriving business is about to make a big move – literally. In the next few months, Bridgeport Physical Therapy will be the latest addition to the business lineup at White Oaks.

 

The good news is that there’s a need for the business to find space. The better news is that the existing business on Main Street isn’t going anywhere.

 

“We are expanding and growing, which led to us acquiring space in White Oaks,” said co-owner Jack Spatafore of the deal that was closed Tuesday (August 7). “Our home base will remain the same, but we’re doing something years ago that I wanted to do and wasn’t sure we’d need to do and that’s to utilize a second location.

 

“I think this tells you a couple of things,” Spatafore continued. “It tells you we’re growing and the fact we’re going to have a second location in Bridgeport tells you how much the city is growing. I think having a need for two locations in Bridgeport says a lot, all in a positive way, about this city.”

 

Bridgeport Physical Therapy will be located in Retail Village Building 2 at White Oaks. That’s the building directly across from Retail Building 1 that houses Bonnie Belle’s, Cody’s, McFly Outdoors, The Oaks Salon, Hermosilla’s Deli and Rominger Dental.

 

The building Spatafore and staff will occupy has yet to have a client. However, it will be home to the soon-to-be-opening Starbucks as well as the recently announced Elegant Nails will be occupying a spot for a salon. That leaves one space in the building, which just recently was completed. Starbucks will be on the side closest to Building I, while Bridgeport Physical Therapy will occupy the endcap on the other side.

 

“We’ll be occupying 2,000 square feet,” said Spatafore. “Ron Stanley (the managing member of High Tech Corridor Development that handles affairs for White Oaks) was highly instrumental in working with us to get this done. I can’t say enough good things about how much easier he made this process.”

 

The current Bridgeport Physical Therapy building, which is located beside Rite Aid, consists of 8,000 square feet and will continue to offer the same services it has for years. Most, but not all, of the same services will be offered on a smaller scale at the new location. For things like aquatic therapy individuals will exclusively utilize the downtown location.

 

“This location will meet the purpose of convenience for many who utilize our services or for those that will seek our services,” said Spatafore. “There will be easy access for the growing number of people in this area as well as convenient access directly off the interstate. We will be able to meet most of the needs here, but we’ll make sure we’ll get them in the right location with the right people to meet their needs.”

 

The new location also creates a few needs on the staffing front for Bridgeport Physical Therapy. They plan on adding a physical therapist, two physical therapy assistants, a rehabilitation technician or athletic trainer and a receptionist. Anyone interested in that can call 304-842-3127 and inquire.

 

Spatafore, who co-owns the business with Mike Martin, will spend the bulk of his time at the new location. Caseload will dictate staffing at the new location. However, he said regardless he’ll still be back and forth frequently between the two sites once the new building is open. And the hope is to have the building open soon.

 

“October is our goal and, if not, then no later than November,” said Spatafore.

 

Spatafore’s wife Maria will be designing the inside with help from her family, Mike’s Kitchen and Bath. The architectural work will be handled by The Thrasher Group.

 

“We’re all excited and Mike (Martin) is excited because he’s always been supportive of this idea. For those that utilize Mike, you’ll still be seeing him at the Main Street location. Everyone is excited for this,” Spatafore said.

 

Spatafore said the business success is a result of the hard work of Martin and so many others. He also heaped praise elsewhere for being on a path to see the business he’s involved with expand.

 

“Any success at Bridgeport Physical Therapy that I’m responsible for is the result of the upbringing my parents provided and how they stressed the importance of having the Lord in your life for guidance. I do my best to let the Lord guide me in my personal professional life,” said Spatafore. “That’s very important to where we’re at and it’s very important we’ve been blessed by the support of our family, our clients and this wonderful community. We can’t wait to get this started.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Jack Spatafore, middle, with Mike Martin as they work on Bridgeport High School junior Carson Winkie. Milddle photo shows Spatafore inside the new building space at White Oaks. Bottom photo shows Jack and his wife Maria with their children Olivia (14), Anthony (13), Jack (11) and Nina (8).