Axe Throwing Venue Opens in Maple Grove’s Chanticlear Pizza
It doesn’t take much to get people out for pizza and drinks. But these days, there’s something else drawing folks to Maple Grove’s Chanticlear Pizza.
Just down the hall from the bar is the newly-opened Dragon’s Lair Axe & Tap, a new business venture under the same roof as Chanticlear Pizza that involves throwing sharp metal objects at a wooden target.
Think of this as Topgolf, but for axe throwing.
“Yeah this is a complete dream come true,” said Austin Luecke, a co-owner.
Dragon’s Lair opened in December in a space that was formerly a storage area for Rainbow Foods. The entertainment venue has 15 different games, and a wide variety of axes to throw at the various targets.
“As soon as you stick that axe into that wood and hear that thunk, there’s just something about it,” Luecke said. “As soon as you get that, it’s just so addicting.”
For Luecke and his business partner, David Lewis, the goal is to help customers master the art of axe throwing. After all, if people learn the proper technique, they’ll want to keep coming back for more.
It certainly helps that Luecke and Lewis happen to be among the top ranked axe throwers in the world.
“We all started picking up our axes off the floor,” Lewis said, referring to what happens when the axe doesn’t properly hit the target. “So every single one that is training understands that it’s going to take finding the right throw and finding the right axe for the person.”
Dragon’s Lair Co-Owner David Lewis prepares to throw an axe.
Evolving Business
This axe throwing venture marks new territory for Chanticlear Pizza, which also just started serving breakfast on weekends in the form of steak and eggs, chimichangas and enchiladas.
“The great thing is we have a lot of authentic, great offerings that are big, shareable, and everything is fresh and homemade,” said Troy Nygaard, who owns Chanticlear Pizza, referring to the new breakfast items.
For many businesses, evolution is important. And if axe throwing continues to catch on, the owners have little doubt that what they’ve built here will continue to draw people for years to come.
“Yeah definitely,” Luecke said. “I kind of want this to become the hub for the axe throwing community in Minnesota.”
The official grand opening of Dragon’s Lair Axe & Tap will take place on Saturday, Jan. 20.
Dragon’s Lair is located at 16415 County Rd 30 in Maple Grove.
