LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — A symbol of resilience stands tall in front of the new NEPA Mixed Martial Arts studio location on Eley Street in Kingston. The reopening comes just 10 weeks after the former location was engulfed in flames.
Leaving nothing but ashes, the panda, and the chance to start anew. Owner of the studio, Kyle Reed, says he now sees the fire as a blessing in disguise.
"When I built NEPA Mixed Martial Arts, I built on the frame of being a community of being a family, so when this happened to see it come back full circle for what I envisioned is everything I hoped and dream for," said Kyle Reed, NEPA MMA owner.
Reed says this is all thanks to that very community and family that his NEPA MMA studio has created over the years.
"The day of the fire, me and my son actually went to his house, and you know, because he is part of our family, you know, he's been here, and he's a big mentor to my son. I helped him. I did all the framing in here for him, you know, and helped with the paneling of the mats, so yeah, it was a lot of work, but we got it together. I've been here for every part, and it just amazes me that it turned into this," said David Piccotti, parent of MMA student.
"I mean, it was a devasting day for everyone when it went up in flames. Just lots of questions. Just lots of sorrow, really, but to see everyone just, you know, follow him and go with him. Anything he needed, we were there to help, and uh, this is the product," Edward Kopec.
Reed's tearful words were full of appreciation and joy when Newswatch 16 spoke with him this time around as he spoke about the blanket of support he has within the NEPA MMA community.
"The words thank you don't even surface; touch the surface of what people did for me and did for NEPA Mixed Martial Arts and be able to keep me living my dream and servicing the community the way I know how to do," said Reed.
From the ashes rose a bigger and better place for NEPA Mixed Martial Arts to call home.
"I knew I had to come back bigger. I knew I had to come back better and stronger, and that's exactly what I accomplished and what we accomplished here with the vision here of NEPA. The new home of NEPA Mixed Martial Arts," added Reed.