Two months into 2022, halfway through our sixth year in business, I’m not sure what to say whether we’re “relieved”, “inspired”, “thankful” or what but choose your own adjective to precede “We’re STILL Here!”
Seriously, the past two years of living in a pandemic world has taken it’s toll on us. There’s no getting around that. While other gyms, studios, etc., were grabbing up major government program monies, we found that we only qualified for two small PPP forgivable loans and we’re glad that they are fully forgiven. They helped us keep the doors open during some pretty depressing times!
When the pandemic hit we immediately lost more than half of our students from the pandemic panic response and they continued to trickle away until the vaccine was first approved. We managed to keep Theatre Under the Stars open the summer of 2020 and again in 2021, albeit to smaller audiences than we’ve been accustomed to having.
Starting in late January of 2021 we saw students starting to return, some opted to continue virtual learning, and some still opting to stay quarantined. As the summer months came around we were still not back to our pre-pandemic enrollment levels but as the new school year, and some new hope emerged about COVID, we experienced a fairly good fall enrollment but still fell short of being back to where we were in April of 2020. Mid-year enrollments have been coming along, too!
In spite of our best efforts, though, we had to make some painful concessions and decisions about the business since June of 2021. We’ve downsized twice now and, hopefully, as we start the process of rebuilding post-COVID, we will be able to be back in larger quarters. For now, however, we’re more or less back to where we started – small space with 3 good teaching areas, downtown, and with a very affordable location in a top-notch building, thanks to our long-time friendship with Jeff and Jerry Franklin! Our hope is that we will soon be on a firmer financial footing to expand our floor space to the adjoining suites and bring more exciting programs and opportunities to our community.
We are SO appreciative of the families that have stayed with us all throughout the past two years. You all are SO wonderful and kind and we want you (and everyone else out there) to know just how much we appreciate you and your wonderful support!
So, here’s to our wonderful studio friends and family that keep my heart warm and my soul nourished!!!
Mr. Jim