NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — A North Kingstown martial arts studio that abruptly closed earlier this year will soon open under a new name.
Premier Martial Arts closed its North Kingstown dojo in February, leaving students and their families to figure out their next steps.
Teacher Frank Soltis told 12 News that after the closure, he banded together with several other teachers to continue offering free classes at a nearby church.
“What we teach is what we preach,” Soltis said. “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.”
“We never stopped for them and we wanted to keep it going for them,” he continued.
Soltis plans to open a new dojo called Legacy Martial Arts in the same building. He looks forward to picking up where he left off with his students.
“Martial arts is more than just kicking and punching,” Soltis added. “It's about bringing out the best in students.”
Laura Bateman said it was heartbreaking to see her two children lose their instructors because of the closure.
“The children were very upset and it was difficult to talk to them,” Ms Bateman said. “At that time, we didn't know if they would ever see their instructor again or continue their martial arts.”
Bateman said she is grateful that Soltis and the other instructors are together in the same studio.
“I’m so happy to see it open in the same location and with the same staff, especially for the kids that come here,” Bateman said.
Legacy Martial Arts is scheduled to officially open April 1 at its former location in North Kingstown. Soltis said there will also be a celebratory grand opening on May 4.
