Axe throwing activity new addition for Machesney Town Center

courtesy photo The Journal

When people get frustrated, they tend to throw harder. That, in turn, makes the axe rotate less before it reaches the target, making a drop almost certain. The first step is to slow down and get out of your own head. Most slumps are entirely mental in nature.

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

The Illinois Route 173 corridor has become known as a destination in the region, including southern Wisconsin, for shopping.

Now the adjacent Route 251 (N. Second St.) corridor is continuing to make a name for itself through the Machesney Town Center and improvements to businesses from Route 173, south to Harlem Road. The most recent addition at the village-owned town center, former J.C. Penney Outlet, 8702 N. Second St., may be the activity of axe throwing.

The word “destination” was included by Acting Village Administrator James Richter II in his report to the administration and finance committee (A&F) at its June 15 meeting.

He described Maximum Performance Fitness Training Inc., one of the tenants in the old Outlet building, as “an excellent addition” to the town center. “Their ability to adapt and successfully reuse the former J.C. Penney building has been impressive. The axe throwing could prove to expand upon Maximum Performance’s business and help to establish the town center as a destination,” he said.

When discussing the request with A&F members, he continued, “The primary concern relative to the axe throwing is Max P needs to provide adequate protection in the event someone is injured while participating. After consulting with our insurance provider, as conditions of the lease amendment, the village is requiring several certificates of insurance and a participant’s waiver from Maximum Performance prior to restarting this use.”

An additional problem came with the tenant asking for permission to let axe throwing participants bring their own alcoholic beverages (BYOB) to the activity.

“As the owner of the building, allowing alcohol is an additional potential liability for the village, especially when coupled with the axe throwing,” the administrator explained. “Even though the BYOB use would make the axe throwing more attractive to private parties, at this time staff and the village attorney (Tom Green) are advising against allowing alcohol and axe throwing on the village’s property.”

Given that, condition No. 10 in Resolution 36-R-20, allowing the axe throwing activity, stated, “The tenant’s/guarantors’ request to allow customers to ‘bring their own bottle (BYOB)’ alcoholic liquor on the licensed premises is denied.”

Correspondence

There was correspondence between the village and Maximum Performance, starting April 28 when the tenant asked for rent relief. In his response, dated May 15, Richter said he talked with the mayor and village trustees, who agreed to the following:

* The village is willing to defer the base rent for April, May and, if necessary, June 2020, until the end of the lease, which is May 31, 2020. At the end of the lease, the village will address the base rent owed during the COVID-19 time period.

“As a function of renewing your lease, we will consider waiving all or a portion of the COVID-19 base rent,” the administrator wrote. “You will need to continue to pay for the taxes and utilities during this time, as these expenses are unable to be waived or absorbed by the village.”

Other issues relating to the expanded use of the space it is occupying at the town center were discussed as well, such as management of trash generated by the business that was creating problems for another occupant, and interior improvements being made to accommodate the new activity.

In a letter dated May 21, owners Mike and Lindsey Zahniser provided details as to what the axe throwing activity would entail.

Axe throwing, they wrote, initially started as a healthy option for an extra-curricular activity for Maximum Performance members. But it soon caught on and word of its availability here began to spread.

“Maximum Axe Throwing opened to the public for a few short months and we were thrilled to see that Machesney Park not only became a sought-after destination for the local area, but it was also bringing in a considerable amount of people from Wisconsin,” they stated. “Throwing is a fun, family-friendly activity that is quickly catching on across the country.”

They explained that axe throwing would be open on weekends and nights, primarily when the rest of the building is vacant, with only private parties during the week.

While Maximum Performance does not serve food or drinks, the Zahnisers stated customers may bring their own food or have it delivered. “They can also bring their own non-alcoholic beverages, beer or wine, anything beyond that is not allowed. This is what really sets us apart from other axe throwing facilities in the area.

“While most axe throwing lanes across the country are commonly found inside of bars, we want to keep our environment family-friendly, and more of an experience. We check the appropriate identification at the door and give those of the age of 21 and older a wristband, no matter if they intend to drink or not. With the average length of a visit at one hour, it is a social drink with some friends, or a date night comparable to bowling.”

A&F recommended approval of the request, which is expected to be considered by the full village board at its July 6 meeting.