You Voted: Troy Gymnastics is 2012 Readers' Choice for Kids Birthday Party

Out of 11 family friendly places to have a birthday party in , nabbed 36 percent of the votes in our unscientific poll, making Troy Gymnastics the 2012 Best Place to Have a Kids Birthday Party in Troy.

"We're happy to bring something to Troy," co-owner Julie Buechner said. "We are very excited to offer something for the kids in Troy."

Buechner opened Troy Gymnastics with her husband, Toby Buechner, six years ago. The idea to open the business began as a sarcastic comment from Julie, who joked that they should just open their own gymnastics studio because their three girls – now 8, 12 and 14 years old – have been heavily involved in gymnastics.

Toby, however, took her comment seriously.

"I told her, 'I'm listening,'" he said with a chuckle. Not long after that, the couple opened Troy Gymnastics.

Now, the gymnastics center serves roughly 2,000 children each week ranging in age from 12 months through 23 years old. Troy Gymnastics employs 74 coaches and employees, offers 220 classes and is home to 14 competitive gymnastics teams.

"I want every kid to be able to come here," Toby said, adding that the center offers classes for students with disabilities. "This works for every kid."

In addition to the many classes and services at the center, birthday parties are something for which Troy Gymnastics is well known. Depending on the age of the birthday child and the number of attendees, parties can include tumbling, open gym, obstacle courses, games and more.

"We have about 350 parties here a year," Toby said, adding that they also have open gym 13 times a week.

"I've always been biased in thinking it's the best place for a birthday party," Julie said. "The great thing about gymnastics is that it's something almost anyone can do."

Right now, the center is operating near capacity, so to help the business continue to grow – especially with the Olympics approaching, which Toby says increases business at gymnastics centers by 20-30 percent – the couple recently put in an offer for the nearly 30,000-square-foot building directly across the street.

If accepted, Troy Gymnastics would expand to fill both locations, though the Buechners agree it's not about growing the business.

"It's a good feeling to be able to offer something for the kids in Troy," Julie said.

Toby agreed, adding, "I just love working with all of the kids, and that's what it's all about: the kids."

To learn more about Troy Gymnastics, visit www.troygymnastics.com or call 248-816-8496.

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For more Readers' Choice stories, click here. Come back next week for another Readers' Choice poll.