FARGO — To further stick home the fact that axe throwing is becoming a popular sport in Fargo, Rough Cut Social axe-throwing bar hopes to be up and running downtown by mid-June.
The new venue, located at 1100 NP Ave. STE 102, will have 10 regulation-sized lanes, General Manager Alysia Simunek said, five for singles and another five for doubles. They’re aiming for a June 12 grand opening date, barring any further restrictions due to the coronavirus.
“Obviously, we’re going to keep on top of those,” Simunek said.
As the name implies, Rough Cut Social is meant to be about more than just axe throwing.
That’s where the bar comes in.
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When the 3,500 square-foot space opens, beer and wine will be on hand — no mixed drinks — as well as a host of other games, such as beer pong, Hammerschlagen, bean bags, board games, and Giant Jenga. There won’t be any food, Simunek said, but folks can bring their own or order in.
“We’re open to anything,” she said. “If you want to have a potluck, we’re fine with that.”
Alcohol and axe throwing? It’s not the elephant in the room it might seem.
“We have another location where we do axe throwing and we have a bar, as well,” Simunek said. “We make sure that our staff is fully trained.”
The projected 11 employees won’t over-serve anyone, she said, and that includes those who arrive who might seem over-served already.
“They do not get to touch the axes,” Simunek. “Our bartender, our managers, are going to be fully prepared to draw that line. We’re not going to hand somebody a weapon if they’re over-served by any means.”
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Staff is also on hand with customers in each lane for the duration of their throwing, she said, to ensure they’re having fun and know how to stick the wood targets, as well as teach them different game strategies.
Rough Cut Social is fully insured through Philadelphia Insurance Company.
Their other locations, collectively known as Escape 605 are in Sioux Falls, SD. It started as an escape room team-building entertainment only in 2016, but axe throwing was eventually added in and proved immensely popular.
Amy Stockberger, one of four owners, said they were drawn to Fargo because of the vibrant downtown area.
“You guys, I think, are very progressive with your downtown,” Stockberger said.
She owns Rough Cut Social with her husband, sister, and brother-in-law, and she said they were prompted to pursue axe throwing because of its growing popularity.
“The whole point is to have a ‘rec’ theme to do with friends and family,” she said.
Stockberger said the growth potential is as big in Fargo as it has been in Sioux Falls.
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“We’re really excited to bring it in,” she said. “It’s been an absolute hit.”
Business profile:
1100 NP Ave. STE 102, Fargo
605-271-7717
info@roughcutsocial.com
Website: https://roughcutsocial.com/
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/roughcutsocial/
