BURLINGTON, N.C. — Karen Canup is having tears of pain. She and her husband saw a place they created to teach people to defend themselves destroyed.
“I’m just so thankful to God nobody was in here,” said Karen Canup, owner of Gracie Burlington Jiu Jitsu.
The metal roof twisted and torn apart fills in the space where people use to come to learn Jiu Jitsu at Gracie Burlington.
Monday morning, volunteers came together to help the owners pull mats, kettle bells and other items from the debris.
“I’m still processing it. I think everyone is processing it. It sucks that’s the reality of it,” said Garrett Carnes, gym member.
Garrett Carnes is a regular at the martial arts gym. The instructors taught him ways to use his prosthetic legs and become stronger physically and mentally.
“It teaches you to not freak out just to calm yourself down and figure out what you can do and know there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and start moving towards that light,” said Carnes — a light Karen is still trying to focus on after learning what’s lost will not be covered.
“Our insurance doesn’t cover anything so we only have liability insurance so we’re trying to salvage it, but may work or it may not work at this point,” says Canup.
A two year business that she will not leave in pieces forever.
“I am relying on my faith and i believe in it and i believe we can still do great things despite this,” says Canup.
Volunteers had started a GoFundMe Page to help with relocating the business.
