The newest tenant to hitch downtown Lafayette: a jiu-jitsu and yoga studio.
Cutter Kates, who owns CK Development, will and two others will open BEJJ (Be Jiu-Jitsu) at 426 Jefferson St. within the area that final held Ink Gallery Tattoos probably by the top of November.
Kates mentioned he and co-owners John Jordan and Julian Smith had been looking for a location for his or her enterprise thought once they had been strolling downtown and seen a lot of the retailers had reopened following the coronavirus pandemic however the tattoo store stay closed.
They inquired concerning the area, and Downtown Growth Authority CEO Anita Begnaud linked them with the homeowners to iron out a lease to change into the newest enterprise to maneuver into the 400 and 500 blocks of Jefferson Road.
“So far as the placement, I believe that was an untapped market,” Kates mentioned. “I don’t suppose there’s something prefer it. Downtown is absolutely creating properly. I believe it’s group to be part of.”
The three have been engaged on the two,300-square-foot area in latest weeks, he mentioned. The 30-foot-wide area — which been a wig and jewellery retailer — will likely be finally used for mats for periods, however presently electrical and plumbing repairs are underway earlier than it is going to be up for remaining inspection.
Jordan would be the lead teacher, mentioned Kates, who had carried out jiu jitsu for about 10 years.
“Our objective is to attempt to allow the group — males, ladies and youngsters — to learn to defend themselves,” Kates mentioned. “Not a lot in a violent method however to disarm a scenario and get dwelling safely. (Yoga) is an effective complement to the companies we offer. It’s only a good, wholesome train that we really feel anybody can get pleasure from.”
