By Clyde Noel

Town Crier Correspondent

Rancho Hardware shrunk in size when the U.S. Post Office and gift shop were moved from the eastern portion of the building at 1150 Riverside Drive to the Foothill Expressway side.

“The major change was less square footage, but sometimes getting smaller is better,” said Don Barkley, owner of Ace Hardware and the contract post office. “The space we vacated was taken over by Marti’s Dance Studio.”

Marti Gibeau has been watching her students kick up their heels for 27 years.

As a safety measure for the young dancing starlets, the U.S. Postal Service moved the blue mailboxes to the front of the hardware store.

When the Covington School site reverted back to a school after being closed for three decades, the tenants were ousted. Marti’s Dance Studio, which had been there for 11 years, had to find another home. After looking for 18 months, Gibeau found her spot at Rancho Shopping Center.

“I wanted to stay in Los Altos because we are an institution here,” Gibeau said. “Eighty percent of the families that send their kids to our dance classes are from Los Altos, and I want to thank the families for sticking with me till we found a permanent location.”

Gibeau has 11 dance teachers working for her. They cover all forms of dancing, from ballet to tap, jazz and Irish dancing, as well as boys martial arts/hip-hop.

Jean Ikeda, a Los Altos resident, said she has two children attending Gibeau’s classes. “My children love to come here because they learn so much and gain confidence.”

Gibeau’s philosophy is to have children enjoy coming to her school because they have fun. Her students range in age from 2.5 years to adults. She makes it a point to observe all her classes and know what is going on.

Gibeau’s landlord is Troy Underwood, owner of Rancho Hardware. One of her first students, in 1974, was Kristen Underwood, who has gone on to pursue a career in theater.

“I have many girls who stay with me 14 years until they graduate from high school,” Gibeau said. “I press my girls to get a college degree before they pursue a dancing career.”

Marti’s Dance Studio, which also has branches in Sunnyvale and Portola Valley, will have its annual dance revue at Gunn High School in June. Most of the students take part in the show every year.

Among other changes at Rancho Shopping Center, Olivia Zinani is opening a high-end Italian designer clothing store called Olivia as early as this week. She will move into the space vacated by Rancho TV.

Preziosi, the Italian jewelry store at 652 Rancho Shopping Center, is expanding to have more showroom space and a larger workshop.