Zumba studio allegedly used as prostitution front to reopen in late March, instructor says
(CBS/AP) KENNEBUNK, Maine - A Zumbia studio in a southern Maine town will reopen this month after it was shut down a year ago on allegations that the instructor was using it as a prostitution front.
PICTURES: Zumba instructor accused of prostitution
Joyce Bagshaw is opening Danceworks in a space that used to house Pura Vida, a fitness studio operated by Alexis Wright. Wright faces numerous prostitution and related charges for allegedly hooking up with customers in her dance studio and a rented office in Kennebunk.
Bagshaw said she doesn't have any second thoughts about opening a Zumbia studio in the same space, adding that the publicity will help business.
"There are many more people that know the studio exists and that it offers Zumba," she said. "And I'm going to be the person taking advantage of that, so I see it as a positive."
Bagshaw taught Zumba since 2008 at studios in the area and even taught at Pura Vida when Wright opened it in 2010. She said she quit working for Wright in 2011 when she became aware of Internet pornography videos featuring Wright.
But Bagshaw said she couldn't resist taking a chance on the space after it came open and will begin offering a few classes this month with a grand opening scheduled for May.
Bagshaw said she's heard from former clients and others who plan to take classes and that they've been supportive and encouraging.
"Just because it's in a building where something happened that became world news is no reason why we can't go there and dance and bring a different spirit there," said Solveiga Purens, who began taking Zumba classes two years ago from Bagshaw. "I even joke about it -- I say, 'I'll be the madam and we'll start a real business.'"
Insurance salesman Mark Strong Sr. was convicted of 13 counts of promoting prostitution earlier this month in connection with the prostitution case. Wright has pleaded not guilty and has not gone on trial.
Kennebunk Police Chief Robert MacKenzie, who testified in Strong's trial, said he likes that the studio is going to stay a studio.
"That's a good thing," he said. "I give credit to the woman who's opening it back up."
Complete coverage of the Zumba Prostitution Scandal on Crimesider
