STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Double Dragon Martial Arts Academy in Castleton Corners was a place where you could learn the meaning of discipline and dedication.
Now, while the store at 407 Manor Road is closed after a fire, owner Val Valonzo is putting into practice the principles he instilled in his students.
“Around 10:30 p.m., I got a call from a friend saying the school was on fire,” recalled Valonzo, owner of Double Dragon Martial Arts Academy.
While Valonzo's side of the building was spared the fire that destroyed the interior of the Island Coffee Shop next door, his area sustained so much water damage that the fire department had to break down his door.
Smell of smoke
“We can't open it because we smell smoke,” Varonzo said. “I teach kids, some of whom have asthma, so I can't practice there with them.”
Valonzo said his business lost computers, copy machines and exercise mats because of the flooding.
He said the huge cost of repairing his beloved martial arts academy cannot even be estimated.
“I asked the insurance adjuster, 'When can I open?' and he said he didn't know,” Valonzo said. “Their goal is to pay the landlord, and it's up to the landlord to decide when to renovate.”
The martial arts master said the shop has been in business at that location for 10 years.
In the meantime, classes will be held outdoors at Clove Lakes Park for the time being, weather permitting.
“I've been calling my students and letting them know they're going to be at the park,” the owner explained. “Some of them are OK, some aren't. They have allergies and can't go outside. It's really impacted my business.”
Customer Support
Valonzo said he has received messages of support from customers.
“They've been very cooperative and asking, 'When will this be cleaned up?'” Valonzo said. “You can't touch anything until an adjuster comes and takes pictures of what's happened.”
Seeing kids becoming lethargic and focused on technology inspired Valonzo to create a safe place where people could get active and learn life principles through martial arts.
“I've always had a passion for martial arts because of the discipline and respect,” Valonzo explained. “At my school, everything is earned. Nothing is given.”
Overall, Valonzo simply wants to continue teaching personal responsibility through martial arts.
“We just want to share art and, more importantly, help people become better people by voluntarily becoming who they are meant to be,” he said.
A few days after the fire, a GoFundMe was set up to raise funds to rebuild the Martial Arts Academy, which can be found at https://gofund.me/c6afb6a1.
