Page 16 - BusinessWest September 5, 2022

and I thought that it was the best thing I’d ever heard of.”
They went to such a facility, but because they were with Manning’s children, they could not par- take — it was an over-18 activity, and for obvious reasons. But Townsend was certainly intrigued, and upon returning to Western Mass., she did another Google search, this one to find axe- throwing venues near Agawam.
“We Googled ‘things to do in Montreal,’ and the second and fourth items that came up were both axe throwing, and I thought that it was the best thing I’d ever heard of.”
The closest one she found was in New Jersey. Instead of driving there, this entrepreneur — she’s been involved with an ice-cream shop and some other ventures in this community — eventually decided to open her own facility.
And from the day it opened, it’s been a hit. Or, as participants in this activity might say in this sport, it has stuck.
Business is brisk, and as the sport gets more exposure — from ESPN 8 or from the many who have already tried it — Townsend expects it will only continue to grow in popularity.
When people try it, they find that it’s not
nearly as hard as it might look, and it has become a proven stress reliever — at a time when many are having issues with stress, for one reason or another.
“We have a lot of doctors from Noble Hospital [in Westfield] who come in,” she said. “They’re the most stressed people out there.”
This writer tried it, and, after a few throws to get a feel for it and stop trying to ‘flick the axe,’ as Townsend put it, managed to stick a few. Hun- dreds of other people have done the same, and that’s why Agawam Axe House is more than on target with its business projections.
For this issues and its focus on sports and lei- sure, BusinessWest talked with Townsend about
The Agawam Axe House hosts a number of leagues and fund-raising events,
such as the Burn Battle, which raises money for
the American Cancer Society. Participants
in last year’s ‘battle’ are seen here. The 2022 edition is set for Oct. 2.
the sport — and business — of axe throwing, and why she believes this is anything but a fad.
Gaining an Edge
When asked about axe throwing, or hatchet throwing, which is a more accurate description of the implement being used, as a leisure activ- ity, Townsend described it as “a Canadian thing,” meaning that is where it started and is perhaps most popular.
She said urban axe throwing became a sport — and a business — in 2007 with the opening of Backyard Axe Throwing, or BATL, founded by Matt Wilson. It has grown from there, and there
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16 SEPTEMBER 5, 2022
SPORTS & LEISURE
BusinessWest