The Village of Mineola trustees on Wednesday gave the go ahead for a business to teach fencers at 65 East Second St..
The 5T Fencers Club, which currently operates in Hewlett, will be moving to Mineola to better accommodate its students who are mostly from the North Shore, according to owner Viviana Sconzo.
“Fencing is popular on the North Shore,” she said. “I think it’s a good fit for us.”
Sconzo said that 5T Fencers Club is tops in the country and currently holds private and group lessons for 30 students taught by two award-winning instructors, one who participated in the 2004 Olympics. She said that the club also expects to offer after-school programs in fencing for students of the surrounding school districts.
“I think its a good idea,” Mineola Trustee George Durham said.
Trustees said that the club fits in well with Mineola’s Downtown Revitalization Master Plan due to its operating times and low parking requirement.
Sconzo said the club will primarily operate during the week between 3:30 p.m. and 8: 30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. She said that 90 percent of her customers are dropped off and picked up at the location.
Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss said that while parking is a problem in Mineola the opening more businesses is a good thing for the village.
“Having a parking problem is, in a way, a good problem,” Struass said.
Sconzo said she hopes to open in early January but already feels welcome in the area.
“It’s a great community. Everyone has been really nice to us,” she said.
