Petra announced Dec. 16 that Bad Axe Throwing will join Historic Springfield in early 2020.
Bad Axe Throwing will open at 1719 N. Main St., said landlord Elias Hionides, Petra vice president.
He said Springboard Commercial Real Estate Solutions of Austin, Texas, represented Bad Axe in the negotiations.
Hionides said Bad Axe is one of Petra’s many Main Street additions in recent years.
“We knew we wanted to bring in an entertainment use to Main Street and this fit the character of the building and neighborhood perfectly,” Hionides said.
Property records show that the Hionides family bought the 4,370-square-foot building in 2003 for $125,000. It was built as a retail store in 1945.
Hionides said there will be a full build-out of the 4,200-square-foot interior, with completion targeted for the spring.
A free open house will be offered during opening weekend.
Bad Axe Throwing is licensed to serve craft and domestic beer and wine, he said.
Hionides said Bad Axe Throwing will host competitive leagues, birthday parties and corporate and team-building events.
“We’re really happy with our future home. The location is perfect, and we feel will draw from all areas (of Jacksonville), especially the corporate clients.” said a statement from Mario Zelaya, Bad Axe Throwing founder and owner.
The company is based in Toronto. Zelaya founded it in the fall of 2014. It has expanded to more than 40 locations in five years across the U.S., U.K and Canada.
According to Zelaya, the activity is safe.
“We’ve had over 700,000 customers with no more than a splinter. We offer thorough safety and technique demonstrations to ensure everyone feels comfortable before picking up an axe,” Zelaya said on the release.
While throwing and alcohol don’t seem like a good mix, “all of our staff are trained to make sure everyone drinks and throws responsibly,” he said.
He said people of all ages participate.
As part of the World Axe Throwing League, Bad Axe Throwing allows league members to compete with more than 6,000 other throwers from 150 locations and 19 countries.
With competitions throughout the year and a yearly championship hosted on ESPN, the 2018 World Axe Throwing Champion was a member of the Bad Axe Throwing staff, according to the news release.
“We have the largest axe throwing league member base in the world. We anticipate WATL sanctioned leagues to be a big hit here,” said Zelaya.
Bad Axe Throwing says it is the world’s biggest axe throwing club.
“Our mission is to bring the thrill of a traditional Canadian backyard pastime to urban communities,” said Bad Axe Throwing.
