New business throws open its doors in Boaz
Owners take on a unique activity, offering something new
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BOAZ -- Newlyweds Mario Puccio, a retired Air Force veteran and Kimberly Puccio, a registered nurse at Selby General Hospital, wanted to bring a new and axeciting business to the area.
Mario said a friend of theirs went to an axe throwing business and told them how much fun she had, and how packed the place was. At the time, the Puccios were in the process of looking for a business to open for themselves. Mario said his wife was the driving force to starting the business, because it was one of her life goals.
"She really wanted to be a business owner, not just a business though, something that was unique and different, and one of a kind in our area," he said.
Before they decided anything, they took a trip to Route 40 LumberJaxe in Belmont, Ohio, to see how an axe throwing business operates. He said afterwards, they went home, built a target in their backyard and figured out how to properly throw an axe. He said he liked the idea of axe throwing because of how inclusive it is.
"You don't have to be an athlete, you don't have to be physically fit to do this," he said. "It really is pretty much for anybody who can stand up in front of that target and throw the axe."
Mario said it has been a crazy ride so far, and he could not have pictured owning a business two years ago.
"When we first opened the doors, as the first paying customer walked in, you couldn't have chiseled the smiles off of our faces, because we did it," he said.
The Puccios run the business together. Mario manages the business full time, since he is retired, and Kimberly is there when she isn't busy with her full time job. Kimberly said the business is special to her, because it is something her and her husband can do together. "This is not her business, it's not my business, it's our business, and we built it together, we run it together, and it's us, so that in itself strengthens us, because we are here doing it together versus separately," Mario said.
He said it has been a lot of fun teaching new customers how to throw an axe for the first time.
"We get people in the door that have never done it before and you coach them up, and within just a couple of throws they're sticking axes in targets and they're hooting and hollering and high-fiving and it's awesome to watch people having a good time," he said.
M & K's Axecitement offers 10 targets or axe throwing lanes in the back, pool tables, multiple flat screen televisions, a digital jukebox, snacks, soft drinks, and cold beer.
"When we get 30 or 40 people back here and they're playing music and the axes are flying, it's pretty wild," he said.
Mario said axe throwing tournaments and leagues are highly requested by customers. He said at the moment tournaments and leagues are the only future plans they have for the business.
M & K's Axecitement is open from Wednesday through Saturday between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. A session costs $25 per person for an hour, and $45 per person for two hours. M & K's Axecitement is at 2198 Williams Highway in Boaz and accepts walk-ins or appointments. To book an axe throwing appointment call 304-375-8004 or visit the website at mnksaxecitement.com.
James Dobbs can be reached at jdobbs@newsandsentinel.com