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Plainsman's Choice 2022 Best New Store: Blade & Barrel Axe Co.

<p>Blade and Barrell Axe Co. wins Plainsman's Choice 2022 for Best New Business.&nbsp;</p>

Blade and Barrell Axe Co. wins Plainsman's Choice 2022 for Best New Business. 

Voted best new store in Auburn, Blade & Barrel Axe Co. opened only a little over a year ago on March 25, 2021, and has only grown since. Located in Midtown, Blade & Barrel is an axe-throwing entertainment venue for all ages that hosts private events as well as offers spots for walk-ins Thursday through Sunday. 

“Ever since our grand opening March of last year, it’s been a steadily increasing business,” said Brandi Whitley, manager of Blade & Barrel. 

Blade & Barrel hasn’t had trouble staying busy; it frequently holds private events for organizations in the Auburn area.

The venue has hosted events for several companies, such as the staffs from Cornerstone Chiropractic and the Orthopedic Clinic, and even some sororities and fraternities.

Additionally, Blade & Barrel has utilized a relationship with the Auburn athletic department to host events for Auburn’s soccer, basketball and golf teams, Whitley said.

Along with Blade & Barrel’s plethora of private events, Whitley also shared what one should expect on their first visit to this axe-throwing entertainment venue. 

When someone enters Blade & Barrel, they should expect to be greeted warmly, checked in and asked to fill out a waiver. After they are all signed in, they should expect a personal “axepert” to show them to their spot out of the main nine axe-throwing stations. 

There will be a maximum of six guests per lane. Once they arrive at their lane with a digital board straight ahead of them, they will be given instructions on how to enjoy the game and play safely.

Shortly after they get started on one of the six games available on the digital boards, their “axepert” will return after 5-10 minutes to make sure everything is going well and check to see if the customer has any questions. Their personal “axepert” stays with them for the entirety of the hour they are there and is always ready to offer "axepertise," Whitley said. 

Although Blade & Barrel is open to most ages, allowing players to be as young as eight years old, Whitley found that their main clientele tends to fit a certain age range. The customers who come most regularly tend to be between the ages of 30-40 years old. When considering the amount of fun date nights spent at this venue and the amount of company events hosted, this estimation of their average age-range is not surprising, Whitley said.

Blade & Barrel is open Thursdays 2-10 p.m., Friday 2-11 p.m., Saturdays 12-11 p.m. and Sundays 12-6 p.m.

Most weeks, Saturdays are the busiest out of the days they are open, especially about 6:30-7:30 p.m. 

With its arrival in Auburn only a year ago, Blade & Barrel Axe Co. has secured its spot as the best new store in Auburn because of its continued entertainment and growth.

“Wholeheartedly, Auburn has been good to us,” Whitley said. 


Emma Hall | News Writer
Plainsman Pass for Writer 3/1/22

Emma Hall is a news writer for The Auburn Plainsman. 


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