Tutti Pilates hopes for expansion to new mat studio in Herne Hill

A Geelong pilates business is hoping to breathe new life into a building that formerly housed a troubled tobacconist.

The site of the former American Confectionary Store will become a Tutti Pilates studio if planning permits are approved. Picture: Google

It used to sell tobacco but it could soon have a much healthier new life helping to stretch, strengthen and tone.

A former vape store in Church St, Herne Hill – that found itself at the centre of police raids last year – will become a mat pilates studio if plans put to council by a new business are approved.

Tutti Pilates has made the application, with plans including new signage to “neaten up the building, giving it a fresh, modern appeal”, while the interior layout would take on a “modern, retro aesthetic”.

The proposal include light-coloured paint for brick walls, with pops of colour in the furniture and lighting.

Tutti Pilates owner Abbey De Lorenzo first launched her business with a reformer studio in nearby Hamlyn Heights in March 2024. Now she’s hoping to expand and use the Church St site for mat classes.

“We’re hoping to add variety for members and it’s super exciting,” she said.

“Hopefully everyone is as keen as we are.

“As long as the permit is approved in a couple of weeks it will be all systems go.

“This will give us more space for more people to come and have more variety in their pilates,” she said. 

The site was previously home to a store that branded itself as specialising in “American confectionery”, but in September it was one of six shops raided for allegedly selling illicit cigarettes and vapes.

During the raid more than $400,000 of allegedly illegal tobacco was seized and four people were arrested.

Other stores in Corio, Bell Park, Grovedale and Whittington were also raided by detectives from the Geelong crime investigation unit as part of the same operation.

About 323,120 sticks of illicit tobacco were seized as part of the sting, as well as 23,968 illegal vapes, 18.6kg of loose tobacco and $13,000 cash.

Originally published as Tutti Pilates hopes for expansion to new mat studio in Herne Hill