Brown Family’s Tumble B Gym Finds a Permanent Home in Washington After Years of Growth and Resilience
A new state-of-the-art gymnastics facility at 428 Leggett Road marks a triumphant chapter for the Brown family and the local community, overcoming pandemic challenges and years of relocation.
After nearly two decades of dedication to youth athletics, the Brown family—Charlie, Misty, Hadley, Tatum Kate, and their team—have officially opened the doors to their long-awaited, permanent facility for Tumble B Gym. The new building, which opened last week just outside the Washington city limits, represents a significant milestone for a business that has navigated numerous obstacles, including the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple moves, to become a cornerstone of the region’s cheer, tumbling, and gymnastics programs.
The gleaming new facility, still carrying the fresh scent of paint, is filled with the joyful sounds of children practicing cartwheels and flips. “It’s dominated only by the cool air-conditioned setting on a hot day,” a local observer noted, capturing the vibrant energy within. For Charlie, Misty, and their daughters, the opening signifies more than just a new location; it’s a realization of a long-held dream.
The journey to this point has been far from easy. The Browns initially launched Tumble B Gym in 2005, fueled by Charlie’s passion for tumbling and a recognized need for specialized training in the area. Misty, a Washington native, and Charlie observed a gap in local offerings while working in Greenville, often making lengthy commutes to provide their daughters, including Hadley, with access to gymnastics programs. “We would get off from work and then come drive back to Washington, get her dressed, get her ready, then drive back to Greenville in five o’clock traffic,” Misty recalled, highlighting the logistical challenges that spurred their entrepreneurial venture.
For nine years, they operated out of a former Family Dollar location off Market Street in Washington, followed by a brief stint of approximately 11 months in the old Moore Dodge car dealership. Despite early success, the Browns faced the constant uncertainty of renting, prompting them to consider a more permanent solution. “I think it really came down to wanting something here,” Misty explained. “We knew we were going to be here. We wanted something here for the community, for the schools around here.”
However, just as they committed to building their own facility in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. “We had long conversations like, ‘Is this it?’” Charlie admitted. The business was forced to adapt, transforming into an enrichment center to provide a safe space for students to continue their education remotely. “We became an enrichment center during COVID,” Charlie said. “So we had retired school teachers that came, kids were dropped off in the morning. We had tables and desks set up in the gym area for them to do their online schooling.”
Despite the challenges, the Browns persevered, ultimately securing the land and completing construction of the new facility. The dedication of instructors like Jedidiah Yiznitsky, the tumbling director, and MacKenzie Beach, the cheerleading coach, has been instrumental in the gym’s success. Yiznitsky emphasized the rewarding feeling of helping students achieve their goals, stating, “There’s just a magical feeling of pushing yourself really hard…and achieving that.” Beach echoed this sentiment, adding, “I feel like, to me, it’s like we’re at the finish line finally.”
The new facility is poised to serve as a hub for athletic development and community engagement for years to come. The Browns’ commitment to providing high-quality instruction in tumbling, gymnastics, and cheerleading, coupled with their resilience in the face of adversity, has created a lasting legacy in Washington and beyond. The opening of Tumble B Gym’s permanent home is not just a dream come true for the Brown family, but a testament to the power of perseverance and a dedication to the youth they serve.
