http://www.cbs12.com/news/karate-4723450-kelley-school.html
Karate School is Dealt the Final Blow
Kelley, who holds a 7th degree black belt, says the recession has dealt him a blow that even he couldn't recover from.
Last Thursday, December 31, he held his final class.
He says at a time when people are struggling to pay their mortgage and put food on the table, or have lost their jobs, many can no longer afford karate lessons.
"I had cancellations, clients that I've had for 10, if not 15 years, so it started hittin' hard and quick," Kelley said.
Last week, he had only about 50 students, down from a peak of nearly 200 at one time. "I was usually here from 10 to 10. I was here seven days a week, trying to work and it just no longer could happen," Kelley said.
The way things were going, he couldn't even pay the rent anymore.
So he's locking the door and walking away from a business he loved.
"I was just hoping the time would never come and the actual day wouldn't come. And it came," Kelley said.
Kelley, 47, says he had to take a job doing security at a mobile-home park to make ends meet.