Gracie Burlington roof collapsed at a total loss
It’s time for the community to pull together for Karen and Spencer! Last night they got news the roof collapsed in there gym and broke a gas line and water pipe. The building was condemned and they are at a complete loss.
Even if you don’t donate here please help share to get them back on track. They are an amazing family that has done so much for the Burlington area
The following was pulled directly from Karen’s Personal Facebook page.
On August 13, 2017 Spenser called a man named Chris Hargett because he heard he had mat space available. The rent was very generous, the spot was not the most conducive-the crossfitters had to walk across the mats just to get to the bathroom, and the office smelled of mildew, but it was a huge space and a dream of Spensers. We were both sold when we walked in and saw that someone had written the Lord's Prayer on a dry erase board, at that time we knew this was God’s sign and this opportunity was meant for us. Making it more, we walked outside after our first class at this gym and there was a double rainbow-we knew this was a sign from God. We were right where we were supposed to be.
We held a few classes in the back warehouse and then Chris (who rented the space and subleased it out) wanted to move up to the 12,000 sq foot space at the front of the building. More rent money but still do-able and the space was just huge with so many possibilities. About 2 months after we moved to the front of the building Chris moved to the beach and offered for us to buy him out. We have worked out tooshies off for so long and thought-it is finally going to pay off!
From the very beginning this was not just a Spenser and Karen run business, but our whole entire family got involved. We went from a life of coming home afterschool everyday and playing with the neighbor to going to the gym straight from school, eating dinner at the gym, my kids took classes, and made countless friends. Spenser and I also made countless friends, friends I would call family. I never knew a “martial arts school” could be much like a family. We all (all 6 of us Canups) looked forward to seeing everyone everyday, it was what made our day most of the time. Spenser works a 12+ hour a day job, gets off work and teaches 5 days a week and loves it. I have never seen him so happy before. It isnt about anything but fellowship, watching others start to love jiu jitsu, watching people make and accelate to meet those goals, Watching shy kids get out on the mat and own it. Watching self confidence grow, that is the best part for me. I don’t really do much-just the books, and run my mouth at the desk but I sure do love it. Spenser and I say at least once a week, God sure has blessed us.
Today Gracie had a softball tournament in Gastonia and Spenser worked. The gym was open for open mat this morning and I guess around 6pm tonight Spenser got a devastating text, the roof had collapsed. We really aren't sure if it was standing water, or a gas pipe did burst which caused a water pipe to burst which added to the water from the roof that collapsed.
I have always know that what I have can be gone in the blink of an eye but when I pulled up tonight and saw all of the fire trucks, the road blocked off and had to argue with the police officer to the point that I melted down just so I could go see my husband-the panic and anxiety set in. I was hyperventilating, Gracie was having an asthma attack and we were both just in tears. Never in a million years did I think this would happen. I mean who rents a building for a business from a reputable man and has the ceiling fall in.
Nothing is salvageable.The mats, the equipment, all of my kids things that were there, etc. I am most upset about the non-materialistic things-the memories I have had in that gym, the amazing people I have met, Spenser re-proposed to me last year in the middle of class on my birthday, birthday parties, belt advancements, laughter, tears, sweat, fellowship, welcoming everyone, taking temps, watching a childs face light up with they get a stripe, watching an adult light up when they are getting a strip. This has been an amazing journey for the Canup family and I am so blessed that so many people trusted us to make jiu jitsu the best part of their day.
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our lives for the past 2 years.Thank you for putting your faith in us. Thank you for being you.
This is not the end of Gracie Burlington, but rather a pause until we find a new space. Everyone’s membership will be frozen beginning tomorrow and we really hope you will stay by our side and come back as soon as we clean up the mess and find a new place, a better place-I am praying for air conditioning-or at least a ceiling that isnt going to fall. 2020 are you over yet? I can’t take much more
