Story and photos by Carla Slavey
Tucked into the corner of the Tradewind shopping center – in a separate building on the south end of the parking lot – is a place that once hosted a gymnastics studio . That building may look unassuming from the outside , but once inside visitors can find a space that holds pool tables , indoor cornhole spaces , dart boards and , the pièce de résistance , six double lanes ( 12 lanes total ) where guests can throw axes to their hearts content .
It is , as Sara Waddle calls it , “ 8,300 feet of testosterone .”
Waddle is one of six owners of the business known as Jack ’ s Axes , along with her husband , John Waddle , couple Rosy and Scott Whitaker , and couple Lauryn and Patrick Stephens .
Sara Waddle is quick to correct herself on her previous comment , adding that “ it ’ s not just testosterone ” that keeps customers coming back to Jack ’ s .
Her husband points out , “ Believe it or not , women are better axe throwers than men .”
“ They don ’ t try to throw as hard ,” Sara Waddle explains .
“ And they ’ re more consistent with bullseyes than men ,” John Waddle adds .
Jack ’ s Axes – a play on words that will be obvious as soon as one tries to say it without messing up – also offers beer and some food items for those who just want to sit and relax . There is also a sitting area with a four-plex television for those who might want to watch a game , and an outdoor seating area that will be available in the warmer months .
But that ’ s not all there will be to Jack ’ s , according to the Waddles . Plans are in place to grow and expand – to have live music , dancing , comedy nights and a full bar in what they are calling “ Jack ’ s After Dark .”
The distinction is important , since , as Sara Waddle said , if the booze is flowing , the axes won ’ t be available for throwing .
“ I know axes and bourbon don ’ t mix ,” she said .
“ We have built a good family atmosphere there ,” Sara Waddle continued . “ It ’ s not about boozing and throwing axes . It ’ s about having ‘ a ’ beer or ‘ a ’ drink and having a good time doing some stuff .”
The idea to bring an axe-throwing business to Somerset began around October 2022 , when Scott and Rosy Whitaker asked the Waddles to come along on a trip to Corbin to go to a similar business there .
Caleb Hall tries out the punching machine .
22 • SEKY - Southeast Kentucky Life JUNE 2024