PHOTO: Kids practice their fencing skills at Olympia Fencing Center in Newton Highlands. Photo by Christian Maitre
Tucked behind the Newton Highlands Playground, you’ll find a fencing club that’s remained in business despite numerous challenges.
Owners Iulia and Daniel Hondor opened their Newton location for Olympia Fencing Center in January 2019, after running their fencing club in Cambridge for almost a decade. But after a month, their new business had to close due to the pandemic.
Reopening proved to be a challenging affair. According to Iulia, they had to reapply for a certificate of occupancy with Newton and didn’t officially reopen until Jan. 2023.
But last Tuesday, classes were in full swing.
As classes started, sounds transitioned from lively shouting as coaches led the beginners class in games and warm-ups, to the clashing of metal, as students participated in energetic warm-up bouts in full fencing garb.
Olympia primarily teaches épée fencing. Points are scored when a fencer touches the tip of their weapon to any portion of their opponent’s body. The first fencer to make contact scores a point.
Classes are separated by skill level and held weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Parents watched from the sidelines as their kids geared up in fencing equipment, plugging their swords and metallic vests into the wall. When a student scored the electrified weapons sent a signal to a scoring screen on a wall that would light up when hits were registered.
Rachel Gonzalez’ daughter started fencing at Olympia after watching the sport during the Summer Olympics.
“She started once a week [then] begged me to come twice a week, and now we might do private lessons.”
Gonzales highlighted the support she received from the community of coaches and parents.
It’s this community that serves as the primary driver of business for Olympia fencing.
Parents from their Cambridge location brought business to Newton by word-of-mouth, and Olympia was able to gain more customers from teaching classes at the Dexter Southfield School.
Running a fencing club is no small feat. Rents are high due to space requirements for the sport. But to Iulia, communication with families and parents, who have paid it forward by spreading the word, helps keep the business afloat.