Image: Facebook.
Grownups in Fredericton now have a new place to have fun, have a drink, and perhaps toss some axes and blow off a little steam.
HaliMac Axe Throwing is opening its Fredericton location on Friday at 83 Cityview Avenue on the city’s North Side. The company got its start about four years ago in St. John’s, Newfoundland, under the name Jack Axes, and also has a location under the HaliMac name in Halifax.
“We’ve just been slowly growing our business and our brand for years now and Fredericton seemed like a logical next step for us,” says Adrian Beaton, who co-founded the business with his cousin, Paul MacInnes.
“It’s a wicked city. It’s got the exact temperament and vibe for what we’re going for and it’s really conducive to the people we like to attract to our business anyways, so we’re excited to come to that city.”
People can book their lane online or by walk-in (though online booking is encouraged), with rates are per person in the group based on how long they plan to stay. HaliMac also does corporate booking and events too. Their coaches will then show you also the fundamentals of axe throwing, and if you want to compete, will help coordinate a tournament.
HaliMac will also have a bar featuring local craft beer and cocktails and a menu of finger foods such as mozza sticks, fries and onions rings. But customers are also welcome to bring their own food and snacks, or order food to the location.
“You’re more than welcome to order food directly to the place. A large portion of our business is corporate and larger parties, and they often times like to bring their own catering. We’ve never really wanted to get into the restaurant game. It’s not something we ever had a lot of interest in, so we kept it basic and easy and allow people to bring their own food in.”
HaliMac’s Fredericton location also plans to host official World Axe Throwing League games starting in the new year. Beaton says though the league activities are not the biggest revenue driver of the business, it’s the cornerstone of what they do.
“That’s what’s really driven the popularity of axe throwing, the community that surrounds it,” he says. “It’s a really open community. Anyone can join. I feel in this day and age, it kind of gives adults a place to go out, let their hair down and talk to people in a competitive atmosphere.”
Whether your throwing competitively to want to have a night out with friends, Beaton says they hope HaliMac’s Fredericton location will provide people with a different place to have fun.
“Adults don’t have a lot of options when it comes to entertainment. It’s been the same options for years and years. You can go see live music, you can go to a bar or you can go to a restaurant. This gives adults a place to go and they can experience something different.”
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Cherise Letson is the associate editor of Huddle, an Acadia Broadcasting content partner.
