Axe Venue Interview: Rob and Dina, ChillAxe

ChillAxe is something special. I, woefully, hadn't visited the western PA staple until this year, and I'm thrilled to say that all of the hype was absolutely true. Maybe even kinda not enough.

Fortunately, Rob and Dina introduced themselves to me previously at Urban Baltimore, gave me a shirt, and made me feel much more important than I actually am. Stepping into their venue, I realized that sort of excited-kindness-and-acceptance kinda permeated everything they did. So here is the lovely, kind, empowering sort of Axe Venue Interview I did with Rob and Dina, owners of ChillAxe, during the U.S. Championship.

How long have you operated ChillAxe?

Rob About six years, in August.

And what did you have to do to make sure that the U.S. Championships could actually happen here?

Rob Well, before we knew we had to build more lanes, that was a necessary evil, and having the technology function, testing it with my other family members - it was a lot of work. But it was also kinda easy because we love it so much, you know what I mean?

I heard you built three extra lanes in what, three days?

Rob Three-and-a-half. Just to finish up some tweaks, the punch list, you know.

Those three additional lanes were built in a secondary event space that Rob and Dina have right next to their typical lanes. We got to talking about the value of that event space, and how it helps balance out some of the costs and challenges of running an axe house. But Dina was quick to point out how they have a mindset that puts their league throwers first, and that mindset has helped them do well regardless of what's going on outside their doors.

I then brought up how unique the space was (A little cave at the top of the stairs to chill out, a shuffle board, space to move around and all that - honestly it was like a paradise for a lil' introvert). I then stopped complimenting them on the space and remembered I was doing an interview:

Do you see yourself as being in competition with other axe houses, or are you more of a community of axe venues? Does that question make sense?

Rob Well, a few years a go we were sponsors for the US Championship. We hosted the skills here. And - this isn't to tap myself on the back or anything - we were the first venue to ever sponsor another venue.

Dina

I think we shouldn't be fighting about who gets who and who gets what. I think Steel City is a really good example of what can happen when a bunch of different axe venues and league throwers join together.

Rob

I think the idea is that venues should be supporting venues, axe throwers should be supporting axe throwers as much as possible.

All of us should really be focused on making sure we're growing the sport and growing it in a way that isn't predatory or isn't just about money.

Dina

I agree. In fact, we were talking to Valhalla - next year when we do this, they might want to run a different tournament on Friday when we have the ladies tournament at another nearby axe house.

Do you have any advice for other axe houses - things you've learned to focus on that other, newer places could do better?

Dina Definitely. Yeah. Push the leagues, promote 'em, and new people come in to throw and if you see a thrower that's throwing well, and they're starting to like it, introduce the leagues to them. That's how we get some of our leagues members to join. They come here for a date night. Boy, they just really liked it. And you could see in their face that they liked throwing. They got good at it. You have to pay attention to "casual" throwers and show them the next steps they can take to make it something more than a date night idea or a "something fun" experience.

Rob

And diversify a bit. We have a projection screen upstairs, and a space for about 18 people. It's perfect for a party, and axe throwing at the projections is perfect for kids. We're not just thinking about one kind of thrower, we're trying to figure out how to make everyone a thrower.

And then, dear reader, there was about 5 minutes of Rob, Dina and I just expressing our mutual adoration for each other. I won't include it here because it feels a little self-serving on my end, but I do want to say that these two are some of the sweetest, most genuine people I've bumped into, and you're a fool if you don't put ChillAxe on your list of axe houses to visit.