KDS finds Judson Mill space for rock climbing gym

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One of the first tenants of the reimagined Judson Mill will be a gym that caters to rock climbing enthusiasts.

Mark Ratchford, of KDS Commercial Properties, represented Rockoon Climbing Community in the lease of 25,000 square feet of space in Judson Mill, at 701 Easley Bridge Road in Greenville. The old mill closed in 2015 and is being redeveloped as a mixed-use property.

Ratchford worked with Rockoon Climbing Community founder and owner Doug Johnson to identify a location for a new indoor rock climbing and bouldering gym. It also will include space for a yoga studio, café, training areas and climbing retail shop.

“Helping the Johnsons find the perfect place in Judson Mill to start their new family business is so rewarding and gratifying,” Ratchford, principal of KDS Commercial Properties, said in a news release. “After so many months of planning, construction setbacks and challenges, it’s exciting that the Johnsons have finally started construction on their dream of owning a rock-climbing gym in such a highly-anticipated live-work-play community.”

Doug and Teri Johnson relocated from Marietta, Ga., with their seven children, two which are top-ranked rock climbers, to start a business around their family’s interest in the sport, the news release said. The Johnsons plan to host USA Climbing competitions.

Vertical Solutions of Salt Lake City, Utah, will design a bouldering and route climbing floor.