Karate Club settles into former Guys Shop building

Merrill Karate Club moved into the former Guys Shop building at 913 E. Main St. on Oct. 1 after outgrowing its previous space on First Street.

With the move, the club went from just under 1,000 square feet of workout space to more than 5,000 square feet. Club owner Jon Gartmann couldn't be happier with the new facility.

"I'm ecstatic with the size and quality of the building," Gartmann said. "It took me about three months to even comprehend that we're in a place like this. It's extraordinarily professional looking, and the outside is just as nice as the inside. I can't find a better building in Merrill for what I want."

The karate club has done an admirable job transforming the former clothing store into a school for martial arts.

"I saw this place looking like this before we even moved in," Gartmann said.

The Merrill Karate Club has been in existence since 1983. Gartmann took over the business four years ago and initially had nine students. Enrollment reached 70 within his first year of ownership and has grown steadily since.

"Since the move I've gained about 25 students," Gartmann said. "Between all the classes we're at more than 120 active students."

This is the third move for the karate club under Gartmann's ownership, and most likely the last, he says.

"The building has unlimited potential," he said. "We have way more room than I need at this point in time."

With the newfound space, Gartmann is hoping to add gymnastics classes and a parkour course to the club offerings. The club currently offers a slate of karate, self-defense, extreme martial arts and jujitsu classes. Classes are available for students from age 4 through adult.

To reflect the expanded offerings, the name has been changed to Merrill Karate Club Center of Martial Arts.

The vast floor space is ample for even the largest classes - up to 30 students - and offers the ability to run more than one class at a time.

Other martial arts instructors are also impressed with the new Merrill Karate Club facility.

"This place is amazing," said Adam Salazar, owner of Premier Martial Arts in Antigo, who comes to Merrill to train with Gartmann. "At the martial arts community, we are excited for him. "Any time the martial arts can be sparked anywhere it helps the entire state."

Martial arts can help students develop self-discipline and leadership skills. Some of Gartmann's students have stepped up to take on leadership roles in the club. Will Opsahl, for example, at 11 years old was recently certified as an assistant instructor. He helps Gartmann teach the younger classes.

Derek Berghammer has become Gartmann's right hand at the club, taking on a wide range of duties and will also be teaching the parkour classes.

"I want people to recognize Derek as much as me," Gartmann said. "He wants to be an instructor and it's nice to have an adult here who is as into it as I am."

The Center of Martial Arts will eventually expand into the basement of the building.

"We're not utilizing the basement yet, but hopefully soon," Gartmann said.

Immediate plans call for the addition of men's and women's locker rooms.

The Merrill Karate Club Center for Martial Arts can be reached at 715-218-7596.