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Green Bay Escape to expand, have axe throwing

By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer

ASHWAUBENON – Despite concerns expressed by one trustee about possible problems that could happen by combining alcohol consumption with throwing axes, the Ashwaubenon village board agreed Tuesday, May 28, to grant Green Bay Escape a Class B Beer/Class C wine license as the business expands its footprint to have axe throwing at 2180 S. Ridge Road.

“I’m nervous as I have ever been about saying ‘yes’ to a Class B Beer/Class C Wine license to a facility, as safe as you claim it’s gonna be, to throw axes,” said Trustee Ken Bukowski. “I just have a problem with that.”

Patrick and Joseph Van Abel appeared before the board on behalf of the business to describe the layout planned for the axe throwing, considered among the latest trends in hospitality circles, and what would be in place to prevent mishaps with the axes.

Patrick Van Abel said a mix of chain link fence and very heavy Lexan polycarbonate will be used where axes with short handles will be thrown in a confined area.

“A person throws five times, they throw it, they go get, and they’re in a caged tunnel,” he said. “There are other throwers next to them, but they’re all completely walled off lanes. You throw five times, you go and grab it, you come back, you throw it, and then when you’re done, you set it into a box, you cross a line.”

Patrick Van Abel said an insurance company will require the business to follow guidelines for throwing axes.

“If we’re not safe, we can’t stay open, because we can’t be insured,” he said.

Green Bay Esacape presently features escape rooms.

Patrick Van Abel said the business will “lock six to eight perfectly sane people in a room for an hour, and they have one hour to get out.”

For those interested in axe throwing, Patrick Van Abel said the participants will have to arrive 15 minutes early and get a briefing on what is involved by a lane attendant, who will be watching what happens while the throwing is going on.

“During that 90-minute experience, they can buy two beverages, and that’s it,” he said. “After the experience is over, just like the escape rooms, we’re going to send them on their way… So, this is not like I’ve been hanging out at the axe throwing place all day long drinking.”

When Bukowski asked where establishments currently are located with axe throwing, it was noted during the meeting there are businesses doing that in the Milwaukee area.

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