GLACE BAY, N.S. — The last time Craig Seymour saw his taekwondo students they were crying as they watched the building which homed their school burn to the ground on Jan. 18.
Some left shoes, uniforms and gear in the building, located at the corner of Commercial and Catherine streets, which was owned by Walter Burgess. Their tears were partly because of the stuff they lost and more because they couldn't continue taekwondo classes.
Now Seymour is looking forward to seeing them smile again when he reopens Ashley Taekwondo on Jan. 22, thanks to an outpouring of support from people helping him find a space and replace equipment.
"Obstacles are guidelines, not stop signs. That's what I tell the students," he said during a phone interview.
"This is the perfect example of this. It's really nice what everyone is doing."
Ashley Taekwondo is re-opening on the second floor of Town Centre Lanes, which is owned and operated by the Glace Bay and Area Y's Mens and Y's Womens Club. Classes start at 6:30 p.m. and right now are scheduled for Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Although this is a temporary location, Seymour said they may stay if things like being able to access the space for extra classes or testing when needed can be figured out.
"They're a non-profit as well. So it could work well for both of us," said the junior master, fourth-degree black belt.
"I expected it would take much longer (to reopen). It took me months to find a space to teach and I had to almost beg Walter to rent me the space...I didn't ask anybody for anything. People starting calling and texting me, 'What can I do to help?'"
Seymour's business isn't the only one displaced by the fire getting a helping hand to reopen a few days after losing everything. Bel's Beauty Boutique owners Lana and Pauline Gouthro are setting up shop inside Amy's Hair Design and Esthetics after the owner offered to make room for them.
"In this business, it's really hard to be closed for any period of time," said owner Amy O'Keefe, who saw the fire burn in real time from a Facebook live video her daughter forwarded her.
"The space is available here and I just thought, 'what a sad story, someone should help them . . .' So I thought I would offer."
Although O'Keefe, who has been in the King Edward Street location since 1993, will have to clear some shelves and rearrange furniture to make room for two more stylists, she doesn't mind. She's also offering them use of her equipment and supplies until they replace theirs.
"We just don't do enough for people," said O'Keefe, who lives in Port Morien.
"Someone said (to me), 'It's nice of you to help out the competition by giving them space.' We shouldn't be competition. We should be helping each other."
Lana and Pauline were unavailable for comment but O'Keefe said they are "overwhelmed" with the number of calls they are getting and will be open in her shop on Jan. 22.
For Seymour, this isn't the first tragic loss he's dealt with. One of his daughters died when she was a baby and his sister and niece were murdered. However, he says the fire has turned out to be a "blessing in disguise" and a reminder of what's really important.
"Love of family, friends and community (are what's important). It's also a good lesson for my students — no matter how tough things get, you are never truly alone and there are always people who care and want to help you," said Seymour.
"When you go through things like this, you either go crazy or you get stronger."
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