Sherry's Gotta Dance Studio Finds Its Footing in New Home

Sherry Wharff and her dance students are settling into a new studio after relocating to Casa de Oro a week ago.

Although the new space has become home to Sherry's Gotta Dance Studio, Wharff didn’t think she would ever leave Lemon Grove.

“I thought I’d be there forever because I’ve been there for 30 years,” said Wharff, who grew up in Lemon Grove.

Wharff had to move her studio from its original location at 2615 Lemon Grove Ave. after she was given a 30-day notice to leave by July 31. The shopping center’s owner decided the space would be used so the Zumba studio next door could expand, Wharff said.

Her clients didn’t want her to go, either. On July 20, a group of 40 dancers, parents and alumni gathered at the studio to protest.

Michelle Leyva, whose daughter Olivia attends Sherry's Gotta Dance Studio, helped organize the “peaceful protest.” The dancers made signs that read “save our studio” and “we love to dance,” and marched along the sidewalk in front of the studio.

“I just wanted to get the word out, because we felt like we were being bullied, and we wanted to let the city of Lemon Grove know that it wasn’t fair for the girls to be pushed out after being a part of the community for so long,” Leyva said.

Even though the new studio located at 9621 Campo Road is an additional 10 minutes away for the Lemon Grove resident, Leyva said she is happy to drive the extra few miles.

“I think it’s going to be a breath of fresh air,” she said. “It’s a new vibe, it’s exciting and I think it’s going to be good for the girls. Sherry treats the girls like they’re her own. Olivia just loves her.”

Although her business had been at the center for nearly three decades, Wharff said she did not have a lease for the last 25 years. She paid month-to-month for the 666-square-foot space.

“I had a very low rent, but I paid what he asked every single month for 30 years,” she said.

Wharff said the owner offered to lease her a different space in the center, but she opted against it. Wharff said she was asked to pay nearly double her original rent for the space, which was about the same size. The space was also a square layout instead of a rectangle layout, which is not suitable for a dance class, she said.

Kendall Squires, Wharff’s former landlord, said he is expanding the Zumba studio, but wouldn’t have done so if he didn’t have another space to offer Wharff. Squires said the adjacent location he offered her is a “tiny bit larger,” but it wasn’t as long as her former space.

Squires said Warff originally had a five-year lease, but chose to be on a month-to-month lease ever since. He said he kept the rent low—$400 per month—for nearly 30 years.

“Because I liked what she was doing, my partner and I made the decision that we would subsidize her,” Squires said. “She was a good tenant, and I think you’d have to say that we were very good landlords.”

Squires said he wanted Wharff to sign a lease for the new space that included periodic increases starting at $440 a month and going up to $800 a month over time.

“I don’t see why some 30 years later we would be obligated to offer someone the same rent,” he said.

Despite their differences about the lease, Squires said he was happy to rent to Wharff for nearly 30 years.

Dancers are happy they get to keep taking classes.

Olivia Leyva has taken Wharff’s dance classes since she was 4 years old. The 11-year-old is now a part of Sherry's Gotta Dance Drill Team.

“It’s really fun, and she makes it seem easier,” Olivia said. “It’s exercise for me. When I’m bored, I just think of my dances and everything I do here. I start practicing it and I get happy.”

Olivia said she was worried that the studio would not have a new home, because she likes Wharff’s classes and she has many friends in her classes.

“I was scared that we would not be able to have a new studio,” she said. “I’m really happy that we have a new studio now.”

Olivia wasn’t the only one afraid. Wharff waited until a week before the relocation to sign a one-year lease.

“I was scared to death about the whole move,” she said.

Wharff’s rent is higher at the new 675-square-foot location. She said she is hoping to have more dance students, but still keep the prices affordable, which she said her studio is known for.

“It’s not something I want to give up, but at this point, it wouldn’t work like it is,” she said. “I want it to be a bigger success.”

Wharff also has to raise funds for new floors at the studio. She brought the bars and mirrors from her old location.

Wharff opened Sherry's Gotta Dance Studio in 1982, after teaching dance through the Lemon Grove Recreation Services Department for five years.

Currently, she offers a variety of dance classes for children and adults, in addition to the drill team. She plans to offer more programs such as dance camps to help expand her business.

Although she admits the move has been stressful, Wharff said it was worth it.

“Truly, the thing I love the most is to teach kids how to dance,” Wharff said. “As long as my kids are happy, I’m happy.”