All-American Karate cuts ribbon

All-American Karate celebrates their recent move with ribbon cutting. Joining the gala are City Attorney Laurie Hardwick, owner Steve St. Pierre, City Planner Shannon Norman, City Council member Jinsie Bingham, owner Niki St. Pierre, Tracy Maynard with Case Chiropractic, Dustin Rumple with Shelter Insurance, Dr. Isaac Case and Greencastle Chamber Executive Director Tammy Amor.

GREENCASTLE -- All-American Karate moved earlier this year from Mill Pond Lane to the old Marsh building on Indianapolis Road.

The Academy was at the Mill Pond address for over six years, but had outgrown the space.

"We had no other recourse," Steve St. Pierre said. "We were turning away students and putting them on waiting lists because we didn't have the room to accommodate them in our old school."

Their new space has 2,000 square feet of mat space. With all the new space, St. Pierre and his wife Niki have been able to expand the school.

Over six years ago, the couple moved into Mill Pond with only a desk and a phone. They got their first call from someone who wanted their kids to study karate and the school was off and growing.

They currently have about 125 students in the academy.

"We also offer a Zumba class and have added a yoga class," said Niki. "We want to offer programs that are good for the community."

Classes include Little Ninjas for children ages 3-7, Karate Kids for ages 8-14 and adult karate for ages 15 and up. Additionally, the Academy offers sports competition, fitness kickboxing, pro-am boxing and kickboxing, street defense, weapons and qigong.

They are open Monday through Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m., closed on Fridays and open Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to noon.

All-American Karate is located at 1021 Indianapolis Road, Greencastle and can be contacted by phone at 655-1300. Visit their Web site at www.allamericankarateacademy.com