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New Business Location A Real Kick

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By JOHN CEBALLOS

jceballos@tampatrib.com

Published: November 19, 2008

APOLLO BEACH - Randolph Lawrence wanted to expand the horizons for his business.

The owner and director of the Florida Taekwondo & Hapkido Academy in Riverview wished to offer more classes in a greater variety of martial arts techniques.

First, he had to find a bigger place.

On Nov. 1, Lawrence hosted the grand opening for his new studio, the Zen Tae Ryu Martial Arts Center, in Apollo Beach. More than 200 people attended.

"Our main focus is to serve the kids in Apollo Beach, Summerfield and surrounding areas," Lawrence said.

In addition to tae kwon do and hapkido, the new academy will offer classes in karate, self-defense and mixed martial arts to adult and children beginning with age 3.

Lawrence has a seventh-degree black belt in tae kwon do, while his wife, Kimberly, earned a sixth-degree black belt in karate.

"We're very interested in doing a fusion of both styles, which will give our students options and keep them interested," Lawrence said.

The new school will use more than just martial arts to keep their students interested.

Parents may also sign their kids up for the center's after-school program.

"Right now, we're picking up students that go to school within a 10-mile radius of the academy," Lawrence said. That encompasses 14 elementary, middle and high schools in South Shore.

The students arrive at the academy at 2:30, change into their martial arts clothes and work on their school assignments.

"We have teachers that sit down with them and help them with their homework before they get to any martial arts," Lawrence said.

The program also features a typing school, and the new center features a computer lab.

"Kids use the computer for everything these days, so I figured that would be the best way to get them involved in their school work," Lawrence said.

He estimates 85 students from his previous academy, which is now closed after a year and a half in business, transferred to the Apollo Beach facility. Lawrence hopes to triple that number by early next year.

For now, he and his instructors are getting used to their new digs.

"It's a bigger place, we've got more people signing up, and we're all just very excited," he said.

GET TO KNOW

WHAT: The Zen Tae Ryu Martial Arts Center

WHERE: 205 Apollo Beach Blvd., Apollo Beach
COST: $50 per week for after-school programs. Other programs for adult and children are available.

OWNER: Randolph Lawrence

INFORMATION: (813) 425-4793

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555.

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