Fitness Fashion

Dallas-based online shop ups the fashion quotient on fitness apparel

Fitness Fashion

Dallas-based online shop ups the fashion quotient on fitness apparel

Level 3 Active offers its own collection of workout clothing in addition to a variety of hard-to-find brands.Photo by Heather Helen Ray
Melissa Rountree is a successful Realtor, fitness instructor, and now the owner of the online boutique Level 3 Active.Photo by Heather Helen Ray
These moisture-wicking, anti-odor Zara Terez leggings ($75) have stain-release properties to ensure that you can get your wear out of them.Photo by Heather Helen Ray
Level 3 Active is also available for private trunk shows in the DFW area by request.Photo by Heather Helen Ray

Melissa Rountree — Realtor, Bar Method instructor, woman about town — ranks among Dallas’ most fashionable, as evidenced by her readers’ choice win in last year’s Stylemaker Awards. So it came as no surprise when we learned this multitasking Dallas mom had embarked on a new venture called Level 3 Active that combines her passions.

The online store offers small-batch, hard-to-find brands geared toward style-conscious fitness enthusiasts. Rountree taps into her background in corporate sales at both Chanel and Dior to select the most fashion-forward pieces. In fact, she often jokes about her “hybrid” outfits when showing properties to clients.

“I generally arrive in Jimmy Choos and a long Dior vest, but underneath it all is my tank and leggings,” she says. “Activewear can be very stylish and fashion-forward, especially if you mix it with your high-end pieces.”

Rountree’s shop offers leggings, tops, bras, socks, and more. She even created her own brand, Level 3, featuring fun tanks that showcase her personality. She also does Level 3 Active trunk shows by request.

For something unique, check out DIVA Columbia, as Level 3 Active is the only online retailer in the country to offer it. The Empowering Ocean legging from Altar Ego sports two space images provided by NASA.

Quality is a top priority for Rountree when sourcing for her shop. “I wear all the brands myself,” she says. “If I wouldn’t wear them, then they wouldn’t represent my brand. The only hard part is not keeping one of everything.”

Level 3 Active offers products ranging from $15-$125, in sizes extra small through large, with an option to request additional sizes. Currently this activewear line is just for women; however, Rountree plans to roll out men’s items later this year.

fitness shopping

Downtown News

Neiman Marcus to remain open in downtown Dallas through 2025

Neiman Marcus Neiman Marcus

After much persuasion from Dallas officials, the iconic downtown location of luxury department store Neiman Marcus will stay open — for now.

According to a release, Saks Global will continue operations of the Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas store at 1618 Main St. through the 2025 Holiday season while it explores a reimagination of the location in collaboration with the City of Dallas.

This includes the Zodiac Room, the restaurant's beloved in-house cafe.

It's a big last-minute turnaround, following the retailer's decision in February to close the store on March 31 after more than a century as a style leader for the city of Dallas as well as a bedrock for the downtown community.

That decision prompted Dallas officials and downtown stakeholders to form a committee to persuade Saks to reconsider, even persuading one of the landlords of the property to donate the land to encourage the store to remain. As of the end of February, Saks maintained it would still be closing the store, but with a commitment to invest in the NorthPark Center store — one of three other Neiman Marcus locations in DFW along with the Shops at Willow Bend in Plano, and the Shops at Clearfork in Fort Worth.

But on March 27, Dallas city officials met with Saks Global leadership to suggest other formats to serve its customers and the community while supporting the resurgence of Downtown Dallas.

Potential concepts for the reimagined space include a luxury retail experience, a curated art exhibition, and a fashion and event center.

Other proposals for the space also include an incubator for fashion design and manufacturing in Downtown Dallas.

“We deeply admire the city's passion and unwavering dedication to Neiman Marcus’ storied legacy in Dallas. The potential reimagination of this iconic shopping destination reinforces Saks Global’s commitment to redefining the luxury shopping experience,” said Marc Metrick, Chief Executive Officer of Saks Global. “As we explore opportunities for the Downtown store, along with the planned renovation at the NorthPark store, we will evaluate the opportunity to utilize both locations to serve different customer needs in the Dallas market.”

“We are excited that Saks Global has decided to keep Neiman Marcus open downtown, as we explore the opportunity to unlock the potential to transform downtown into an international beacon and economic engine for fashion - just as the Neiman Marcus founders intended when they opened the store more than 100 years ago,” said Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert. “We look forward to exploring what‘s on the horizon and are committed to continuing our conversations with the Saks Global team.”

The Zodiac Room and the Bridal Salon will remain open during the exploratory period.

The Neiman Marcus brand has been an integral part of Dallas for over a century, serving as a cornerstone of the community and a symbol of style and innovation. Since 1907, Neiman Marcus has shaped the city’s fashion landscape while fostering connections through charitable giving, cultural contributions, and civic engagement.

downtown shopping