By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – A government panel had anything but an axe to grind Wednesday about plans to convert a vacant building near Downtown Bloomington into a sports and fitness business in which axe-throwing is the main attraction.
Bloomington’s Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously recommends the city council grant a special use permit for Daniel Kelley’s Grove Street Social at 216 E. Grove St.
“The overall concept for Grove Street Social is to be a community revitalization for downtown, but also brings a family-friendly social dynamic of things to do for all ages,” said Kelley.
The building dates back to the 1930’s when it housed Seeger’s Park ‘N’ Shop Food Market. More recently, it served as a storage facility for Champion Federal and National City Bank.
Kelley is applying for a license to sell beer and wine. He expects to have up to 25 people working there when the business starts up early next year.
There’s an axe-throwing facility in Peoria. Kelley said the Bloomington site will exceed industry safety standards.
“Most facilities are just fenced off lanes with an open front. We’re actually going to propose closing them off more like batting cages, so that the only people in the realm of throwing are the one or two individuals throwing with the host as well. Our plan is to have a safety coach or host with each lane,” Kelley told the board.
Kelley said the youngest players throw axes made with rigid foam and Velcro, aiming at foam targets.
Grove Street Social, according to Kelley, is not competing against Smash Club, at 1102 S. Main St.
“With the rage room smash house, it’s more of a therapy session, suiting up, going in, breaking things, crushing things. I think it’s a great concept,” Kelley said.
“With ours, it’s more of a social and sports aspect,” Kelley added.
He noted that business offers recreational stress relief, instead of a place for people to participate in a sport.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
