Palatine approves boxing and martial arts studio's move
Palatine village council members Monday night granted approval for a boxing and martial arts business in a Northwest Highway strip mall.
Rumi Maki Martial Arts and Fitness will take over space vacated by Master Dance about two years ago at the Village Green Shopping Center, 297 N. Northwest Highway. Rumi Maki previously operated at Foxfire Plaza at Rand and Hicks roads, which is anchored by Butera Market.
As part of the council's approval of a special-use permit for Rumi Maki to occupy the 6,250-square-foot space, a condition was attached to address parking concerns. The village will conduct a 6-month review of the businesses' operations and traffic management plan.
Pedro Calla, a former boxer on Peru's national team, founded Rumi Maki in 2009. Rumi Maki originally operated out of World Gym Palatine and grew to a stand-alone operation at Foxfire Plaza.
Calla said he moved from Foxfire Plaza nearly five months ago because the 12,000-square-foot space was too big. He said it won't take long to open in his new Northwest Highway location and that punching bags and mats already have been moved into the building.
"We have members that are waiting for us," Calla said outside the council chamber Monday evening. "They didn't sign up for another (fitness) place."
Rumi Maki will offer fitness classes, children's boxing and taekwondo, kickboxing, boot camp, and beginner and advanced boxing classes. In addition, Rumi Maki intends to have open gym hours for members as well as personal training.
Some traffic concerns were expressed at the council session by a representative for Soaring Eagle Kung Fu in Village Green.
Calla said he will develop a plan to ensure the traffic doesn't interfere with nearby businesses in the strip mall that also includes Kids Kustom Parties and Lou Malnati's Pizzeria.
Calla was 15 when he started his boxing career in Lima, Peru, and rose to become national champion for seven consecutive years. He served as captain of Peru's national team and participated in the Pan-American Games and other high-level competition.
Rumi Maki plans to be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. to noon Sundays.