After more than a year scanning the city’s neighborhoods for a perfect location, DIG Yoga is set to open by late spring or early summer in Queen Village, at 412 Monroe St.

The studio will fill a space that’s removed from the street, up a driveway and next to the building that’s marked with its address.

Future DIG will be behind the truck that's sitting in the driveway.

Co-owner Mariel Freeman, a Bella Vista resident, has owned Shot Tower Coffee, named after the Queen Village Sparks Shot Tower historic landmark, for more than a year. At Shot Tower, she has earned a reputation among the community as an asset to the neighborhood. A number of community residents were on hand to offer support at Freeman’s zoning hearing before the Queen Village Neighborhood Association this month. The site will be modeled after the original DIG Yoga location in Lambertville, N.J.

“We wanted something with a lot of natural light, above street level, with certain dimensions in terms of length and width,” says Freeman.

That provides some insight into why a business person might open a yoga studio on a block not known for its foot traffic, in between South Street and Fabric Row, in a discreet building behind the part of the property that actually faces the street. Plus there’s a Sweat Fitness nearby on Passyunk Ave. and another Yoga studio around the corner on 4th St.

But it fit the needs and wants of Freeman and co-owner Sue Elkind, who wanted to open a studio in Queen Village or Bella Vista.

And there's a sweet mural around the corner, too!

“It’s kind of unique,” says Michael Hauptman of the QVNA. “It’s hard for it to be a whole lot else back there.”

Almost behind the site is the Meredith School, which could serve as a public outreach outlet for yoga, should the opportunity arise.

“We thrive in the spirit of the community,” says Freeman.

Coming soon, the tiger pose.

–Lou Mancinelli