New $1.9M Building with Space for Several Clients to See First Business as Opex Bridgeport Set to Open
By Jeff Toquinto on February 03, 2025
The first of several businesses to come to Bridgeport’s newest retail space is looking to open in early March in property that has been developed beside Gabe’s Plaza.
Opex Bridgeport, a unique fitness company, will soon be offering its services locally, according to owner Kayla Smith. This is the second location operated by Smith as she has provided services at Opex Morgantown for several years.
The business is going in place in the shell building directly in front of the building housing Fat Angelo’s and Mountainman Axe. Those businesses, as well as this one, are located just off Thompson Drive.
“We’ve had a lot of success in Morgantown. We’ve been there for six years and at capacity,” said Smith. “I wanted to make a move for a second location, and, in my mind, I wanted to stay in West Virginia because there is a need to address health and fitness and the education on that front.
“Being from Elkins, the Bridgeport site was attractive, first, because it is between Elkins and Morgantown,” she continued. “Along with that, I like the people here, know people here, and it just felt like the best space for our next step.”
Smith said she and her staff at both locations receive the education, certification, and training from Opex. However, each location is 
individually owned and operated.
individually owned and operated.
The new business will be among several that will eventually go into the $1.9 million, two-story building that covers roughly 15,000 square feet. Opex Bridgeport will be situated on the first floor and cover 2,000 square feet.
Smith, a graduate of Elkins High School and California University of Pennsylvania (with a bachelor’s in sport management and a master’s degree in exercise Science focusing on performance enhancement and injury prevention) will start out with three employees but plans to add to the staff as the business grows.
Smith said Opex Bridgeport has carved out its own unique niche among fitness facilities. She said it is not group fitness or with a solo coach by yourself but has the benefits of both.
“We call ourselves individuals, small group personal training. Our clients have their own individual coach and program catered to meet,” said Smith. “The clients come in during a session with a coach on the floor who will be working with other clients as well.”
The sessions have no more than eight people on the floor with one coach.
“It’s personalized training without the ticket price of one-on-one training,” she said. “There’s really not anything like we offer.”
The business in Bridgeport will be open five days a week in Bridgeport and will likely expand days. Smith said additional information regarding times and scheduling will be posted on the Web site, but for now those that look to participate can attend on session in the morning and evenings on Mondays and Wednesday, in the evenings on Tuesday and Thursday, and in the mornings Friday and Saturday.
Smith said there will be “functional fitness equipment” at the facility. She added that “this will not look like a normal, commercial fitness facility, but more like a boutique functional fitness gym.”
To learn more, visit the Web site by clicking HERE. Individuals can also call Smith directly at 304-940-6122.
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