It was over a year ago that Dueling Axes first announced its expansion to New Albany, and a lot has changed since then.
Dueling Axes’ Downtown location is currently open, and they’re taking the necessary steps to keep people safe — including one-lane buffers and other protocols — while still having a good time.
Groups are still coming in for bachelor and bachelorette parties, team building, and more, and bigger groups have requested reservations for later in the year.
“We’re not sure if we’re gonna be able to do [them] or not, but there’s still interest and people are wanting to come and do our activity, which is encouraging,” said Jess Hellmich, co-owner of Dueling Axes. “It’s weird, you know, bobbing and weaving and trying to figure it all out, doing what we can to continue to provide the elevated experience that we set out to do.”
As far as its New Albany location, Dueling Axes is hoping for an opening at the end of October or early November. The construction timeline faced some slowdowns due to the pandemic, and getting permits and internet service also took longer than in normal circumstances. But the location is still on track to be double the size of its Downtown location, and will now feature a full bar that is open to the public.
Due to COVID-related slowdowns at the State of Ohio Division of Liquor Control, Hellmich expects the location to have a beer license within the next two months. Until then, the location will likely just have spirits and mixed drinks.
Dueling Axes’ New Albany location will also include a new feature that was recently introduced at the Downtown location.
Axe throwing, in general, is a very low technology sport, said Hellmich. “We’ve got this ancient tool, an axe, you’re throwing it into hunks of wood — pretty straightforward,” he said.
But Dueling Axes has long wanted to elevate the experience by making the game more approachable and interactive.
To do so, Dueling Axes recently launched digital scoring in its Downtown location. The system was developed with Dueling Axes’ own software tool and separate company Axe Arcade.
The industry-first system is similar to a bowling alley scoring system, in that there are over-head displays that show players scores and animations as they’re playing. There’s also a tablet for each lane to interact with and log in their scores and select the kind of game they want to play.
This new system is a part of the excitement Dueling Axes has about this new chapter for the entertainment venue.
“Our total goal is to provide the best experience and the most elevated experience for our customers,” said Hellmich. “And we really think it’s gonna change how the industry operates and provide another experience for customers. We’re super excited to share that with them.”
For more information, visit www.theduelingaxes.com.