Brooks Karate School Changes Owners

"We are retiring,’’ Laura Brooks said to the 50 or so adults and children at Brooks Karate Studio in West Winfield.

“But we’re not going away,’’ she added.

And neither, after 42 years of teaching karate skills to hundreds of adults and kids, is Brooks Karate.

The business has been sold to Dan and Kasey Barrett of Bridgewater.

Dan Barrett started at Brooks at 7-years-old when his mom brought him to an introductory class in November 2001.

He rose through the levels, eventually joining Larry and Laura Brooks - both advanced degree black belts--as an instructor.

“I had no idea this was in store for me when I started as a little boy,’’ Barrett said. “It’s going to be an adventure.’’

Larry and Laura Brooks put the word out a few days before their Friday night announcement.

Please show up at the studio, with no details given on why.

Families came, sitting in the rows of chairs set out and standing along the wall.

When Laura clarified why they had been asked to come, people applauded.

The second round, when she explained that Dan and Kasey would be the new owners, earned a second round even louder.

Kasey has been involved with the school for the last 10 years; the couple has a toddler, Skylar. ...