Mayor Alonzo Jones joined other Danville city officials and citizens Friday morning in a “ribbon-chopping” ceremony marking the grand opening of Grizzly's Hatchet House and River City Escapes.
The two entertainment venues are located in a former tobacco warehouse at 680 Lynn St., Suite J — the corner of Monument and Franklin streets.
“When you look around, you will notice the fireplace and wooden décor just as you would find inside a mountain lodge. Also, you will notice the ax-throwing targets on the walls,” Jones said at the ceremony. “Welcome to Grizzly’s Hatchet House and River City Escapes! So it’s only fitting that we celebrate the opening of Danville’s newest entertainment venue – NOT with a ribbon-cutting, BUT INSTEAD with a ribbon chopping.”
Urban ax-throwing is becoming more and more popular across the United States. There’s even a National Axe Throwing Federation that started in 2016 to create a rule system enabling broad and accessible competition.
Escape rooms — in which participants enter a room and look for clues on how to escape it –— are also popular.
Jones said, “Christie Wall (owner) recognized these latest, craziest trends for entertainment, and she recognized that they would be a good fit for the River District. So, when you get together with your friends, and you want to do something fun, I hope you will say: ‘Hey – let’s go to the River District to throw some axes or play a room.’”
Grizzly’s has been offering ax throwing for over month now, with the escape room opening for the first time this weekend.
The ax-throwing and escape room business also serves a lodge-themed food menu, beverages, craft beer, and wine.