New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The Freitas family who opened All Ranks Academy of Gymnastics five years ago have made the tough decision to close their doors for good.
The family-owned operation has exhausted every avenue of possibilities to keep the business open – one that has been a great source of joy for children and their parents alike. Because Governor Baker as closed most businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has meant an end to revenue sources for many. While chain stores like Walmart, Costco, A&P, et al have the financial resources and capital to survive – even receiving government “bail-outs” – that isn’t the case for many “mom & pops”
stores like All Ranks Academy of Gymnastics.
The saddest aspect of it all is that the Freitas’ had fulfilled a dream by opening up the gym – a dream that has been smashed and along with it all the families who took much enjoyment from gymnastics. Perhaps many of whom had dreams and aspirations to pursue the sport to an Olympic level.
In a Facebook post the family made the announcement along with a personal message to their clients’ families:
“To All Our All Ranks Academy Families ,
It is with great sadness that we have made a tough decision to close All Ranks Permanently. Due to the Pandemic crisis it has left us no choice but to close. We have searched every avenue to try and keep All Ranks program running for our families. Due to the financial strain and not being able to open for another few months we will not be able to recover from this.
Over the past five years we made our dream a reality.
We would like to thank all our All Ranks families that have supported our program the past 5 years here in New Bedford.
We will miss all our families especially our gymnast. These gymnast have become apart of our family and we have loved watching them grow everyday. Their smiles is what kept us moving forward. We only hope and pray they will continue their gymnastics elsewhere or presue great things in whatever they decide to do in their lives.
We would like to thank all our families with essential workers. We also extend our prayers to those families who have lost loved ones.
Thank you again for your support and May God Bless all our All Ranks Families,
Coach Dustin and Coach Billie.”
In their 5 years of being open the Freitas’ had a positive impact on hundreds of families in the greater New Bedford area and beyond winning state championships and even competing at the national level.
A sad loss not only for the Freitas’ and the kids involved in their program but the entire community.
