Martial arts studio could join ranks of schools in Buffalo Grove industrial zone

Buffalo Grove’s industrial district on the north side of the village continues to attract nonacademic schools such as dance studios and golf academies.

The latest could be martial arts school Shaolin Kung Fu Universal, LLC, which is applying to the village board for a special use to operate at 1682 Barclay Blvd., within the Rogers Center for Commerce.

Owner Lincai Shi plans to offer tai chi, kung fu and self-defense classes for children and adults. He would operate within a 2,700-square-foot space in a 53,980-square-foot building.

The building has multiple tenants, including a plumbing company and a roofing firm.

Shi is one step away from approval, having received a positive recommendation from the village’s planning and zoning commission last week.

Raised and trained in the Shaolin Temple in Henan, China, Shi is a 32nd generation disciple of a Shaolin Temple Abbot and a former member of the Shaolin Warrior Reserve Force.

“In China, we say all the martial arts are from the Shaolin Temple,” he said. “Most of the martial arts teach you offense. But the Shaolin Kung Fu is teaching you how to protect yourself.”

The village board recently approved Saldarelli Dance Arts LLC at 1388 Busch Parkway in The Corporate Grove.

“These are popping up more and more inside the industrial zone,” Commissioner Adam Moodhe said. “It seems to be a pretty good use for those office spaces.”

Shi currently teaches out of schools and park districts, and makes use of gyms that have high ceilings. But if the village board approves, he will have his own space.