FIRST TOPGOLF, NOW AXE THROWING COMES TO EAST RIDGE AREA
If clubbing golf balls with microchips in them isn’t your thing at Topgolf, then maybe axe throwing will fill the bill at another entertainment venue to open at Jordan Crossing in East Ridge.
Craft Axe Throwing is building a new facility on Camp Jordan Parkway at Exit 1 off Interstate-75 with plans to have the location open after Labor Day.
The business, which has more than a half dozen locations in four states including in Knoxville, will feature axe-throwing lanes and a bar.
Company co-founder Travis Cornelius said he’s looking to its expert professionals to help social, corporate and league groups “hit a bulls eye in a safe, fun environment.”
Craft Axe Throwing allows visitors to toss axes at dart-board like targets and score points. The company said it offers casual and competitive league experiences via an online reservation system, while walk-ins are welcome.
Chattanooga already has at least a pair of similar businesses downtown, including Civil Axe Throwing at 409 Market St., and Valkyrie Axe Throwing at 45 E. Main Street.
John Healy of Wolftever Development, which is overseeing the Jordan Crossing mixed-use project near Camp Jordan, said Craft Axe Throwing will go in a building near Buddy’s Bar-B-Q restaurant and across the road from the Topgolf complex that’s near opening.
“We think the concept is good,” he said. “We’re trying to do retail, restaurant and entertainment. With Topgolf across the street, Craft Axe Throwing gives people another option.”
Craft Axe will move into 2,500 square feet of space in a building that also includes the nail bar Noire, Healy said.
“It’s very popular,” said Healy. “It’s fairly easy to learn. It’s great for couples. On date night, it’s something fun to do.”
Craft Axe’s website says throwing for one hour is $20 per person plus tax, though pricing changes for large groups and longer sessions.
Meanwhile, Healy said he believes Topgolf is within weeks of opening its new facility.
Golfers and non-golfers can play Topgolf using point-scoring games with micro-chipped balls that instantly show performance data, including accuracy and distance, on a TV screen in a bay.
Also, Minnesota-based Fourteen Foods, a large Dairy Queen franchisee, is working to open one of its restaurants at Jordan Crossing. The development also holds a Bass Pro Shops, Hampton Inn hotel as well as a Starbucks cafe and a Chick-fil-A.
Healy estimates when fully built out, the investment in Jordan’s Crossing should approach $100 million. That’s expected to help East Ridge double its sales tax collections from the levels before Jordan’s
Crossing was developed and the state authorized the Border Region Retail Development District sales tax incentive for the region.
Across I-75, Chattanooga Red Wolves owner and developer Bob Martino is building more than $150 million of housing, retail and commercial projects around a new soccer stadium for his pro soccer team in East Ridge.