A business new to downtown Wilmington is twirling into an old building on Princess Street.

The Tutu School, a ballet school franchise owned by Madeline Martin (pictured below), will open this month in the Wallace Building at the corner of Third and Princess streets, according to an announcement Tuesday from MoMentum Companies.
 
“I knew from the beginning I wanted a downtown location for the studio. Since Tutu School is a small, boutique studio, I wanted it to have a quaint, neighborhood feel to it. I ultimately chose the Princess Street space because it truly felt meant to be. I mean how much more perfect than 'Tutu School' on 'Princess Street' can you get,” Martin said in a news release.  

She said that as someone who lives downtown with a child, she truly believes children's activities in are lacking in the area, "so I am thrilled to bring such a magical space where children can twirl without abandon and explore the depths of their own creativity."

Tutu School is a collection of boutique-style ballet schools that cater to children 18 months to 8 years old. Genevieve Custer Weeks founded the Tutu School franchise organization in 2006. The Tutu School in downtown Wilmington is having a soft opening Thursday for holiday Nutcracker camps that will take place Thursday and Friday. The release said an official grand opening is set for Jan. 8, when classes begin.
 
Terry Espy, owner of MoMentum Companies, a real estate brokerage and development group that is also located in downtown Wilmington, said in the release, "We were impressed with Madeline and her vision for her studio from the moment we met her." 
 
The Wallace Building's upper levels house The Wallace Work Lofts.

"Momentum Companies and their partnership with Checkered Cab Productions have worked to breathe new life into all the spaces with new flooring, paint, art, creating a clean mid-century modern environment," the release said.