NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — A North Kingstown martial arts studio that closed abruptly earlier this year will soon open its doors under a new name.

Premier Martial Arts closed its North Kingstown dojo back in February, leaving students and their families to figure out their next steps.

Sensei Frank Soltys told 12 News he and several other instructors banded together after the closure to continue teaching classes free of charge at a nearby church.

“What we teach is what we preach,” Soltys said. “The winners never quit and quitters never win.”

“We never stopped for them and we wanted to keep it going for them,” he continued.

Soltys plans to open up a new dojo, named Legacy Martial Arts, in the same building. He’s looking forward to picking up where he left off with his students.

“Martial arts is not just for kicking and punching,” Soltys added. “It’s there to make the best out of a student.”

Laura Bateman said it was heartbreaking to watch her two children lose their instructors because of the closure.

“My children were very upset and that was a difficult conversation to have with them,” Bateman said. “We didn’t know at the time if they would be able to see their instructors again or be able to continue with martial arts.”

Bateman said she’s grateful that Soltys and the other instructors are sticking together in the same studio.

“I’m so glad to see them open with the same staff at the same location, especially for the kids who have been coming here,” Bateman said.

Legacy Martial Arts is slated to officially open at their former location in North Kingstown on April 1. Soltys said there will also be a celebratory grand opening on May 4.