Gracie Jiu-Jitsu moves downtown - new studio opens on Superior

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu relocated Monday to a new studio at 915 W. Superior St. in Jacksonville and will mark the move with a grand opening from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. The training center, which offers Brazilian jiu-jitsu and focused self-defense classes for youth and adults, aims to broaden access to hands-on safety and fitness training in Morgan County.

Photographs from a youth class show Charlotte Skaggs and Wayne Perry practicing self-defense techniques at the new location, underscoring the studio’s emphasis on practical skills for younger residents. The studio’s programming spans age groups, meaning families can find classes for children alongside adult sessions geared toward fitness, confidence building, and personal protection.

The relocation places the business on a centrally located stretch of Superior Street, which business owners and downtown boosters have long viewed as key to neighborhood foot traffic and small-business vitality. A martial arts studio that serves both youth and adults can generate regular weekly traffic — class schedules, drop-in students, and parents waiting during sessions — all of which contribute modestly to local commerce in nearby restaurants and shops.

Beyond economic activity, the studio’s presence responds to demand for structured extracurriculars in Morgan County. Access to affordable after-school options and physical-education alternatives can affect family schedules and public-safety outcomes by providing supervised, skill-building hours for young people. Brazilian jiu-jitsu and self-defense curricula also emphasize discipline, situational awareness, and nonviolent conflict resolution, which residents often mention as priorities for youth programming.

For residents considering participation, the grand opening offers a low-friction way to tour the new space, meet instructors, and observe classes in progress. The two-hour event is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at 915 W. Superior St. and is timed to let parents and neighborhood neighbors drop in without weekday scheduling conflicts.

The move is a small but tangible example of local entrepreneurship reshaping downtown streetscapes while adding community services. The takeaway? If you’re looking for an activity that blends fitness, personal safety, and structured youth programming, stop by during the grand opening or check class times soon — it may be a practical, hands-on way to keep kids active and build skills that matter.