How did an Oklahoma "stuntman" and a "fitness instructor" from the Jersey Shore become the founders of Ripley-Grier Studios?

   In 1984, the opening of West Side Rehearsal Studios in a newly built building at 131 West 72nd Street began a new age for New York rehearsal studios.  Patricia Ripley was the manager and taught her fitness classes on the 4th floor, having moved her studios from 133 West 72nd St.  Previously, for 7 years she had taught and managed for the Lotte Berk Method exercise studio on the East Side and in Bridgehampton.  Butch Grier was managing Captain Nemos' Restaurant on West 72nd St. He was an stuntman/actor from Oklahoma who packed up and rode his motorcycle to Manhattan on the journey of a lifetime. This is their story of the creation of Ripley-Grier Studios.

   They met on West 72nd Street in the summer of '82, fell in love and moved in together in the spring of '83.  They began their life together poor but in love.  Patricia managed the studios while Butch worked at Captain Nemos. In the Spring/Summer of '84 Butch left Nemo's to manage 410 Bank Street, a restaurant in Cape May, New Jersey.  It was a long distance romance; she took the bus down every weekend to be with him.  After the season ended, he came back to the city to work for the contractor who built and owned the studios.  In '86, after the owner defaulted on the lease, they negotiated the takeover of the space.  They had no money but were able to hock some jewelry and get a personal loan of $2000.  from Vicky, the owner of Captain Nemos.  They took over the West Side Rehearsal Studios in the winter of '87 and renamed them the West 72nd Street Studios.  They had 5 studios.  Broke, but happy to have their own business, they moved into the 4th floor of the studios and lived in studio 4R for two years.  There was a hotplate, a portable tv and a stowaway bed on the floor. They ate beans and rice, soup, pasta and bread. They ran the business during the day and cleaned the studios at night.  The days were long and the work was hard, but from that day on they never worked for anyone else and that was liberating.

   After the first year they hired part-time help and after two years they took over the final floor available in the building (the first floor) and created 2 more studios, (now 7).  They moved into the back of that floor which had a kitchen and a shower and lived there for 2 more years.  When they decided they could rent their bedroom, (1R), for the amount of money it would take to rent an apartment, they moved out.  Finally they didn't live where they worked.  They move to a one bedroom duplex on West 82nd St.

   They soon found that they needed more space to satisfy their clients and in 1990 they went looking for space and found it on 8th Avenue and 56th Street, at 939 8th Ave.. That year they also formed New York Spaces, Inc., their corporate name.

The building they had found was an old building which had been warehoused and was nasty.  The landlord had thought he could demolish the building and build a highrise.  But the area was declared a landmarks district.  So the owner opened it up for renters.  They built out the third floor and part of the 4th floor which had been old dance studios.  With the landlord's help on construction they opened "8th Avenue Studios"

   For six more years they kept booking to capacity and in 1998 they begain to look for more space and went to Mid-town.  They considered many buildings, but decided on 520 8th Avenue as it had the size and price they were looking for.  In 1999 they built and opened the first "Ripley-Grier Studios" on the 16th floor (using their combined names).  That complex of 7 studios became RG I.  That same year they adopted lovely Jeannie (Jean-Michelle) and her positive addition to their lives complemented this new endeavor.  They now had a total of 20 studios, and finally began to make a decent living.  In 2001 they broke through a wall and built RG II, adjacent to RG I adding 5 more studios.  In 2002 they were offered and acquired a space exactly over the RG II space and the landlord built a staircase to it.  They built 4 more studios with an expanded waiting area. RG III opened and there was a total of 29 studios.  "Build them and they will come"

  In 2002, Butch and Patricia decided they were finished renting and moved out of Manhattan after 30 years and bought a house in Long Beach, Long Island.  A home for Jeannie to grow and a place to be able to relax and create.

  RG IV, opened in 2003 on the 16th floor and was designed using Feng Shui principles, (Patricia is a consultant).  These 10 beautiful studios were the most ambitious project to date, reflecting their respect for their client's comfort and versatility, a true labor of love. The Ripley-Grier Studios now consisted of 39 studios. After taking two years off from construction, an adventure into the world of producing shows happened again, (they had done some Off-Broadway directing and producing in the late 80s).  They became producers for a future Broadway musical called (at various times:

”Lorca, “Deep Song” and “The Flamenco Poet”. 

  Late in 2005 an opportunity to acquire another space on the 10th floor at 520 presented itself.  They built a "lockout" space.  They rented part of that location to a subtenant "Shut Up & Talk", a voiceover company.  After this very creative project, which included a kitchen, they had a grand opening in the spring of 2006.  It is a beautiful complex where clients can have the whole space, including 3 studios, an office/studio and a kitchen.   It was also designed with Feng Shui principles and is a true “oasis”.  That expansion raised their total to 43 studios. In 2006 it was decided to use the "Ripley-Grier Studios" moniker as the company name for all locations, keeping New York Spaces, Inc. as the corporate name.  And, That year Ripley-Grier Studios was voted "#1" in New York by Back Stage readers.

  Six months later they were offered the last space on the 16th floor and in 2007 built new corporate offices, moving them from West 72nd Street Studios. In that space they built a café/food court and 2 more studios including a conference room, (45). It took quite an effort to realize the dream of giving clients an in-house place to eat and relax. It's name is "Butch’s Café Oasis". 

  One of Butch and Patricia's personal dreams was to have their son Shayne be a part of the business. In June of 2007 he moved his family from Oklahoma, his wife Heather, sons Jackson and Ethan and 6 month old daughter, Brooklyn moved to Atlantic Beach, near them, to begin a new life in New York. Shayne is a comedian and knew he had to try New York sooner or later, so with a job waiting managing the new café, he and Heather made their decision to come up to the Big Apple. (He had spent many summers with Butch and Patricia over the years, and has friends in New York). Shayne and Heather and the kids moved three times in the next two years and when Butch and Patricia purchased a new house in Long Beach, they moved in to their old place.

  In 2010 "Shut Up & Talk" informed Ripley-Grier (RG) that they were looking for a larger space; could they be released from their lease?  It was a no-brainer; the perfect opportunity to expand and also begin the next phase of operation, a voiceover facility in house.  In March of 2011, RG 10 Voiceover Studios opened with state of the art equipment and 5 more studio spaces.

After this expansion, 2 more studios were created at RG West 72nd St. now a total of 52 spaces.

In 2011 another addition occurred in the Ripley-Grier family, the birth of Shayne and Heather's son Griffin on January 4, 2011, the first born New Yorker in their family.

                             As we reflect on this year, 2011, we contemplate:

  "Why is this amazing success story, a true New York story? Ambition, smart moves in real estate, the desire to create a special place for artists and teachers, hard work, tough decisions, patience and love created a thriving partnership between two very different people from different backgrounds. Good Karma and Good Luck were important factors keeping the business going through many trials and tribulations. 

  In addition, in the 24 year history of this unique business. finding, hiring and keeping loyal, talented and hard working staff members added to an amazing story of growth and expansion in the greatest city in the world.  Some of them have become managers, are raising families, and have been able to work for the studios while they plied their true callings in the performing arts.  They are amazing and supportive of Ripley-Grier Studios and we are so grateful for their professionalism and loyalty."
          " The support of our clients through the years has given us a true perspective of the dedication and sacrifice that New Yorkers have in our very special group of artistists, performers, teachers, and creative minds. Our clients are the best, the most talented people in the world.

                                                 Thank you all!!"

                  Sincerely, Patricia, Butch and the Ripley-Grier Studios family.

          Ripley-Grier Studios have been voted #1 "The Best of the Best" rehearsal

                         studios by Back Stage Readers five times in a row.

      
                                                         ……..to be continued…..