LYNN — Donna’s Dance Studio has closed its doors after being in business for 50 years. But for owner Donna Estes, the family created at the studio has not gone away.
“Family doesn’t close,” Estes said. “I’ll always be here for any of them.”
Estes opened Donna’s Dance Studio in 1973, with the original location in Swampscott. But when the first, and then second, locations didn’t work out, she decided to move it a little closer to home — to her very own backyard.
“I had a three-car garage and we gutted the whole place,” Estes said. “We got permission, got permits, and we renovated it. So the studio has been in my backyard for 36 years.”
The decision to close on the 50th anniversary was no coincidence. Estes said she thought 50 was a good number to end on.
Closing was also in part due to the difficulties of running a business in the time of COVID-19, she said.
“There’s some traveling I’ve been wanting to do that I’ve missed out on. I just said ‘I’ve got to finally think of me, get myself straightened out,’” Estes said. “Then hopefully live a long life and have some more fun times.”
Her time as Donna of Donna’s Dance Studio has been filled with many happy memories, she said.
Throughout the business’ 50 years, Estes has watched student after student grow up. Interacting with her students each day is what she will miss the most, she said.
“I’ve watched them go to school, graduate, get married, have babies, build houses,” Estes said. “I mean, it’s truly awesome. It’s such an experience.”
On May 21, the studio had its final recital.
“It was so good,” Estes said. “They did not know I was closing because one of my girls had mentioned to me, one of the older girls said, ‘If by any chance you’re going to retire, please don’t ever tell us until after a show because we’d never make it through.’”
After the recital, she made the announcement.
“They were all very sad with bittersweet and mixed emotions, but then they realized well, I’m not getting any younger and I could put a little bit more attention into myself,” Estes said.
She said the studio has been everything to her.
“It’s me. My whole heart and soul has been into that business for 50 years,” Estes said.
