New York, NY Eastern Consolidated’s retail leasing division has arranged a 10-year, 550 s/f lease on the ground floor of 142 East 49^th St. for Blo Blow Dry Bar, an international franchise in which Academy Award-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow is a creative partner. James Famularo, senior director of the retail leasing division for Eastern Consolidated, represented the landlord and Cosmo Montemurro, managing principal of Murro Realty, represented Blo Blow Dry Bar. “We had many requests for the space from juice and coffee bars, but since the site was restricted to dry use only these businesses were unacceptable,” Famularo said. “With Blo Blow Dry Bar, we found the perfect tenant for the building and an ideal space for the franchisee. The location enjoys heavy foot traffic and is steps from the Waldorf-Astoria and other major Midtown hotels including the Intercontinental New York Barclay, W Hotel, Hyatt, Marriot, San Carlos, and Best Western.” Because the company features a low-cost, turn-key franchise system, the space at 142 East 49^th St. can be renovated quickly, Famularo said. Other Blo Blow Dry Bar sites in New York City are located at 800 6^th Ave. in Chelsea, and 325 East 64^th St. and 260 East 72^nd St. on the Upper East Side. Blo Blow Dry Bar was founded in 2008 by Canadian entrepreneur Ari Yakobson and his wife, co-owner Vanessa Melman Yakobson. In June 2014, Paltrow and her longtime hairdresser, David Babaii, partnered with the franchise to offer creative advice. With 60 locations in the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Philippines, Blo Blow Dry Bar offers a wash and blow dry from seven signature styles in the Blo Look Book for $40. According to the company’s media kit, Blo was the first to market the no cuts, no color concept in the U.S. and created the blow dry bar business category. “All Bloers (aka Session Stylists) go through an intensive training program, affectionately known as Blo U (niversity), where they master Blo’s signature styles,” the website said. More information about the franchise is available at blomedry.com. Tags: