Just Chillin'... With An Axe

Nestled in a white building on Illinois Street is a chance to challenge your skills and take a break from the day. It has similarities to other athletic challenges, but with sharp differences.

Most people don’t think of an ax as a tool for relaxing and even competing with your neighbor or best friend. However, that is available at Chill-Axe.

The concept started during a road trip to Colorado when Aaron Beyer and Krista Pittam stopped at a place in the Northern Front Range with a very unique venue on Father’s Day this year. It wasn’t darts and brews. That is well-worn, even common. This was similar but at a different level. Instead of a dart, contestants throw an axe at a wood bullseye.

Beyer and Pittam said they “took the idea and ran with it.” They visited similar venues from Colorado to Lincoln, taking note of what they like and what they felt wouldn’t fit in Sidney.

“We had a blast,” Beyer said.

They saw it as something they could do in Sidney.

“We just wanted to make Sidney more fun,” Pittam said. “We are here to serve the community.”

Beyer and Pittam compliment each other in the business. Beyer is adept at coaching customers on how to throw an axe, and how not to, as well as advice on what kind of axe to throw: a competition axe or a heavier, more general purpose axe. He said there is a very specific way of sharpening an ax for axe-throwing. Meanwhile, Pittam has a graphics background and takes care of the records and bookkeeping. She spent her time getting permits and applications submitted while he worked on the design of the indoor course.

Chill-Axe is designed with lanes on one side of the building, separated by high fence walls, and an area for socializing on the right side of the building. Alcoholic drinks are available, but are strictly monitored; drunk customers are removed.

“What’s fun about this place is people come here to have a good time,” Pittam said.

She said most of the customers so far have been ages 30 to 50. The business is open to date nights, parties, families.

“We welcome parties,” she said.

A ribbon cutting was held at Chill-Axe Dec. 1.

Chill-Axe is open 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.