BUSINESS FEATURE Hatchet House Texas Local couple aims to o er unique entertainment option with recreational ax-throwing venue S am and Ashlie Pennington were looking for something to do as the pandemic lockdown came from a paintball entrepreneur in north Texas and is something no other ax-throwing business in north Houston o ers, the Penningtons said. “We have the standard targets with BY DAVE MANNING
began to ease, and they found that and a business opportunity in recreational ax throwing. “I got laid o early in the pandemic, ... and soon after we were looking for something fun to do, and we came across this idea,” Sam said. The Penningtons went to other ax-throwing facilities in the area, but there was nothing like what they envisioned between College Station and downtown Houston, so they thought it was a great opportunity to bring this recreational activity to the community. Through exploring other throwing weapons, such as knives, stars and cards, and adding technology to enhance the atmosphere, they said they believe they found a niche in Cypress with the opening of Hatchet House Texas in May 2022 along with longtime friend John Pizzitola. “And being that there wasn’t anything quite like it here in the area, that’s the one thing that Cypress really lacked was fun things to do for families, for individuals, for couples, for all age groups. So this seemed to really t right in. And so far, the public has really taken a liking to it. ... We’ve had a lot of really positive feedback,” Ashlie said. The idea of projecting games similar to online target-oriented games, such as “Candy Crush,” “Zombie Hunter” and “Battleship,”
the bullseye painted on the back- board, ... and then also have inter- active games,” Sam said. “They’re projected onto a screen. ... There’s roughly 11 di erent interactive games that people can play. So you’re still throwing the axes, but you’re playing di erent games, not throwing at the same target.” Hatchet House hosts parties for individuals and small groups at $25 per hour per person for the standard target bays and $30 for the digital areas. Closed-toe shoes and waivers are required for all participants and spectators. The business sees about 130 cus- tomers per week with most of them coming in on Fridays and Saturdays, the Penningtons said. The addition of TVs playing Houston’s sports teams and music makes the experi- ence di erent from the competition, Sam said. In addition to participating in the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce and leasing advertising space to other local businesses, the pair actively donates to local organizations. “We do a lot of donations to schools and di erent nonpro t organizations ... to help out with the community as much as they help us,” Ashlie said.
Ashlie and Sam Pennington opened Hatchet House Texas in 2022.
DAVE MANNING COMMUNITY IMPACT
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT AX THROWING
There are three sizes of hatchets at each target bay, varying between 2-3 pounds. Aside from practicing safety in the bay, the Penningtons said the most important thing is one’s distance from the target.
Perfect throw
Too close Move a few inches back.
Too far Move a few inches closer.
“... THE ONE THING THAT CYPRESS REALLY LACKED WAS FUN THINGS TO DO FOR FAMILIES, FOR INDIVIDUALS, FOR COUPLES, FOR ALL AGE GROUPS. SO THIS SEEMED TO REALLY FIT RIGHT IN. “ ASHLIE PENNINGTON, OWNER
Hatchet House Texas 11946 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress 281-213-5245 www.hatchethousetexas.com Hours: Wed.-Thu. 3-9 p.m., Fri. 3-11 p.m., Sat. noon-11 p.m., Sun. 3-8 p.m., closed Mon.-Tue.
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