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November 19, 2020

New hatchet-throwing venue aims at Manchester fun-seekers

The throwing pits at the new Stumpy's Hatchet House in Manchester.
By Liese Klein

Feeling stressed? Try throwing a hatchet at the wall!

That’s the promise of the new Stumpy’s Hatchet House, opening in Manchester on Sunday.
Located in an industrial-park area at 8 Progress Drive, Stumpy’s offers private “pits” for chucking hatchets at wooden targets and sessions by reservation for small groups.

“It’s a very great stress reliever,” said Nick Toth, owner and manager of Stumpy’s. Toth fell in love with the sport a few years ago and describes the feeling of hitting a target with a well-flung hatchet as “exhilarating.”

Toth, who runs Puzzle Theory in South Windsor, decided to open his own hatchet-throwing business and franchised with Stumpy’s, a New Jersey based chain. He expects anxious Connecticut residents to quickly discover the joys of throwing and socializing in small groups. 

“To have a  safe environment to just unload some stress, it’s very valuable,” Toth said.   

To throw properly, use one of three standard techniques and aim at the wooden target on the wall. Don’t worry too much about your neighbors: Recreational hatchets are blunt and safety is paramount in the pits. (The sport is sometimes referred to as “axe-throwing,” but the sport mainly uses much smaller hatchets.)

You can sign up for an hour of axe-throwing at the Manchester Stumpy’s with up to three friends for $25, two hours for $40, plus one additional friend. All customers must be over age 18 and all pandemic regulations are in effect. Beer and wine only can be enjoyed BYOB and Toth recommends patronizing Manchester’s nearby craft breweries.

The first Stumpy’s Hatchet House opened in New Jersey in 2016 and 26 franchises have opened up along the East Coast and in the South. The Manchester location is the first in Connecticut. 

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