Nestled right in the middle of Broad Street is the aptly named Broad Axe Throwing. This axe throwing and hangout spot was formerly Source Code Escape Games, but the escape rooms have now gone away to expand the axe throwing operation.
Owner Vinnie Ingallinera retired from the military, and he said both activities exemplify something that’s a key part of military service: team-building.
“The Army does a lot of things correctly, one of which is knowing how to build a team,” he said. “Anything we could do to get people off their phone and talking and working with a group of people is what we wanted to host in this building. Axe throwing falls into that category.”
Ingallinera visited a conference in Niagara Fall, N.Y., where axe throwing had started to leak in from its home in Canada. He checked it out and built a crude axe throwing lane back home with his buddies. They spent “way too much time” throwing axes and decided to incorporate axe throwing into the business.
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The interest for the axe throwing side of the operation grew over time, so much so that the escape rooms (which were written and designed by Ingallinera and friends) were taken out to expand the axe throwing lanes. The business is now up to 16 lanes.
“After about a year and a half, we removed one of the escape rooms and doubled up on the axe throwing,” Ingallinera said. “We were still running out of time slots for the axe throwing so we made the leap to expand and take out the escape games.”
He had a background in programming and hardware skills, both of which were put to good use in the escape room design process. He designed and built out the escape games himself based on imaginary adventures he’d like to go on or he drew from TV and movies.
“When we were ripping the escape rooms out, there was a bit of an emotional reaction,” Ingallinera said. “I’m going to miss all that, but I’m getting over it.”
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The popularity of the World Axe Throwing League also contributed to the expansion, and Ingallinera said WATL leagues will be starting up in the next few weeks at Broad Axe Throwing.
Soon, throwers will be able compete at Broad Axe Throwing and submit their scores to WATL-sanctioned scoreboards.
“If you’re one of the best in the region or in the country, you get to compete at the championships,” Ingallinera said. “We want to produce an athlete out of here, actually.”
The art of axe throwing isn’t too far off from darts, as it’s still predicated on throwing an object from a set distance toward a target marked with corresponding point values. An axe is just a hair heavier.
The bullseye in the center and the blue “killshots” in the upper right and left hand corners of the target are the most advantageous points to hit when it comes to a competitive game.
“It’s a technique; it’s muscle memory,” Ingallinera said. “Once you get the hang of it, it’s just accuracy.”
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Recently, the business was even approved to sell beer and wine, so patrons can enjoy a light beverage or two while they lounge and throw with friends or family.
“Give this thing a try. We’re reaching our final form here and it’s all about trying something new,” Ingallinera said. “It’s a lot of fun, and I think this sport will be here to stay.”
Tyler Strong is the Business Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at tyler@theaugustapress.com
