MANSFIELD — When Grace Kriel attended her college job fair in the fall, she never imagined she’d wind up as an assistant manager of a budding small business. For the sophomore business major at Ohio State, it was the dream opportunity.
And to work for the area’s first axe throwing company? That was even cooler.
“Who doesn’t like throwing axes?” said Kriel, who helps oversee operations and coach new throwers.
“Honestly, the most terrifying thing is your first throw,” she said. “I was terrified of doing it and now it’s my favorite thing to do. It’s so much fun.”
After months of anticipation, Axe Social Lounge finally opened its doors last week. A ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday afternoon made it official.
“I feel like the whole community has been watching the progress of this development,” said Jodie Perry, president & CEO of Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development.
“We’re seeing these things pop up in the larger cities so to have this here and not have to travel so far to do it is really great,” Perry said.
Erik and Emily Flick have always felt the drive to open a small business of their own, but it took awhile for them to agree on an idea. After a friend invited them to visit an axe-throwing club in Columbus, they decided to bring the unorthodox entertainment option to Richland county.
“The wheels just started turning from there. It was really that simple,” Emily Flick said.
The lounge has had a steady stream of customers its first week.
“Everybody comes in curious. We have a lot of people just walk in and watch,” Emily said. “We already have some repeat customers, so we’re very excited about that.”
While hurling an axe at a wooden target may seem intimidating, Erik Flick is confident the staff of throwing coaches can help any thrower stick the axe in the target.
“It’s a lot more fun when it sticks. So we’re pretty confident that within a couple throws we can get you sticking it,” he said.
The activity is open to anyone ages 10 and up; children must be accompanied by an adult.
The Flicks said they’re thrilled to be joining the community of small businesses in the Brickyard. As a social lounge, Flick hopes customers will purchase food and drinks from the local restaurants and breweries and then bring it to Axe Social Lounge and simply hang out.
“We’ve always had kind of a love affair with the brickyard area and it just seemed like a natural fit for what we wanted to do,” said Emily.
The lounge is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 9 p.m., Fridays from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
