Several dance studios have reached out to accommodate students after their dance studio in Lehighton abruptly closed.

Tricia’s Dance Extreme, at 211 South St. in Lehighton, announced in a text message to their dance families that as of last Wednesday, the studio was no longer in business.

Danielle O’Brien, owner of 3D Dance Studio in Northampton, said she was saddened to learn the Lehighton dance school had shut down, but said, “We will welcome them with open arms and give them a 2020 recital that they deserve after 12 months of a wild roller coaster ride.”

“I really just pushed for the kids to be enrolled in class, even if it’s not dance; any activity period,” O’Brien said. “Once I heard of this, it really broke my heart.”

O’Brien said it’s been an especially rough time for all dance studios due to COVID-19.

“I know what we have done for these kids during this pandemic has been a saving grace,” she said. “I would never want to do that to my own kids, and for them to have their safe place and their second home (taken away), it makes me sad overall.”

O’Brien said her dance studio found itself in a position to be able to accommodate them.

“We fortunately are in the position to accept new students; normally we are not, but as COVID has had its effect on us, and we’re not bursting at the seam and we are able to expand our enrollment a little bit longer because we do have the availability,” she said. “I hate to see another business close because of this situation, but I am very happy that we are in this position to help these kids and their families out that are in a panic.”

O’Brien said some of the students began Monday night.

“I was able to order them some costumes, and they just have been so grateful and appreciated that we are even offering this opportunity,” she said. “We’re always very helpful with anybody who is in a financial bind.”

O’Brien said it’s a shame the Lehighton dance studio had to close.

“I genuinely am sad for that owner, but this pandemic has not been on our side; we’ve had two mandated closures, and we were thrown major restrictions,” she said. “My business, we thrive off high volume; now we have to operate at 50 percent capacity, so our revenue is way lower than normal.”

World Class Training Academy in Easton is also offering a free class to those affected, said owner Tanya Keller.

“It impacts the kids, so we are all about making sure the kids have a safe place to go, so we want to give them one free class to see if they can find a new home at World Class Training Academy,” Keller said.

Owner Tricia Hettler’s decision to close left many parents who won’t be reimbursed for tuition upset.

She said she was no longer able to have the studio in the building.

Several parents texted Hettler, wondering about the money they spent on tuition and costumes.

Hettler answered, “I’m sorry tuition that has been paid I cannot refund. You will not be charged for the remaining months and as soon as all costumes come in I will let everyone know when and where they can be picked up at.”

Several parents also asked what that means for the people who prepaid for the entire year, as there were credits to people for time missed, but they didn’t get that either because it was prepaid.

One parent said her daughter’s class met twice since Thanksgiving, and wanted to know what good are the costumes, adding that it isn’t fair to the kids.

A message left on Tricia’s Dance Extreme voicemail went unanswered.

According to its website, Tricia’s Dance Extreme was established in March 2009.