The old Jack Payne Florist shop on Linden Street won’t be smelling like roses for long: LINX (which provides enrichment and sports programs for kids) next month is opening a youth wrestling program there.
The flower shop at 141 Linden St., which closed in December after more than 30 years in business, is now filled with a bunch of rolled up mats, and there’s a sign out front promoting LX Wrestling Club.
LINX’s Joe Kahn says he was initially approached by a group of area high school and middle school coaches, including LINX’s building manager Lou Grignaffini, to see if LINX would be interested in taking the lead on a youth wrestling program upstairs from its other space. “We are excited to be working with Needham High School’s Head Wrestling Coach Nick Gamble, along with Jesse Davis (Wellesley High School Head Wrestling Coach) and other area coaches and accomplished wrestlers,” Kahn says. “Together we will provide a premier wrestling training program for children grades 2nd – 12th.”
The LX Wrestling Club offers after-school and evening wrestling training along with competition every Thursday. LX Wrestling Club will also select its top wrestlers to join a traveling team to take part in area competitions. Families can tour the new space starting March 21. The program starts April 1. Registration is available online, and you can call for more details at 781-235-3210.
LX Wrestling Club isn’t the only game in town. Nik’s Olympic School operates out of 40 Abbott Rd., and is led by Nik Zagranitchniy, a former Olympic wrestler.