ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – For over 20 years, Lion’s Den Karate has not only helped students master martial arts but also helped children build confidence and have a safe place to go after school, according to parents.
But now the St. Augustine school is being forced to move out of its current location near the St. Augustine Premium Outlets and next to Adventure Landing. There is worry that it could shut down for good.
Owner Jose Leno says the dojo is more than just a place to train. it’s a second home for many of his students.
“You heard it earlier with the little ones, we scream out strength through knowledge, focus, respect, honor, self-discipline, self-confidence,” Leno said. “That’s what we teach.”
The studio has built deep roots in the community, serving generations of families in the World Golf Village area. Leno says the thought of closing weighs heavily on him, especially when it comes to his students.
“My students are my family. These kids, they mean a lot to me,” he said. “If I were to close, these are the kids that I wouldn’t be able to get to the black belt. And how do you quit on a kid? I can’t.”
Now, parents are stepping up and trying to raise money to keep the school going.
According to a GoFundMe campaign, co-owners Jose Leno and Barbara Bennett must relocate quickly, but the sudden move comes with additional expenses, including moving fees, build-out costs, and a large deposit. So far, it has raised more than $10,000.
Organizer Ashley Abeles said the goal is to keep the program accessible without raising prices on families already facing increasing costs across the county.
“We love this place. This is a second home. This really is a family to us,” Abeles said. “When I heard that we might be losing it, my first reaction was, this can’t happen. We have to do something about this because places like this don’t exist.”
Other parents say the loss would extend beyond the students who train there.
“It’s such a shame, not just for my family, but for the community,” said Lori Gonzales, whose child attends the studio. “This is a place where children are learning confidence, respect and how to be good citizens. It’s not just the families here that would lose out, it’s our entire community.”
In addition to martial arts classes, Lion’s Den Karate also offers an after-school program, which families say would be difficult to replace if the studio closes.
The studio has until the end of the month to secure a new location. For now, Leno and the families he serves are holding out hope they can keep the dojo alive and together.
Records show the property that Lion’s Den and Adventure Landing sits on was purchased by M&D Property Ventures of Georgia, along with other investors, in February for $3.6 million.
Adventure Landing announced this week that it is closing on Sunday after deciding not to renew its property lease.