Black Ax opening location at Northpark
RIDGELAND — A premier dining and entertainment destination featuring axe throwing lanes, dart boards, and new-to-market menu items is set to open here at Northpark mall this summer.
Black Axes Throwing Club already has locations on Old Fannin Road near the Reservoir and in Pearl.
“We are very excited about bringing what we have built to Ridgeland,” owner Keith Black said.
Wife Kathy Black said that they expect the new space to include between 12 to 14 ax-throwing lanes, a seated dining area, dart boards, pool tables, corn hole boards and a full-service bar.
They also have an outdoor covered patio in the works. The restaurant will feature a full menu, drink specials and ax-throwing entertainment designed for the whole family.
Everything is designed to maximize safety while being fun, including a fully-enclosed lane where patrons can try their hand at throwing knives and other specialized weapons.
The Blacks do most of their own demolition and buildout and design each space to feature police department, fire department and military-related decorations often seeking memorabilia from local entities.
“The Pearl and Reservoir fire departments have given us a lot of old stuff to use to decorate our locations there and we hope to reach out to Ridgeland to see if they have anything we can use,” Keith Black said.
Black Axes will be located upper level of the mall near Belk.
“We are absolutely thrilled to introduce Black Axes Throwing Club to Ridgeland. This partnership brings an additional dining and entertainment experience to Northpark, and we are pleased with our continued growth and tenant mix,” said Northpark General Manager Shawn Cochran.
Upon opening, the Blacks expect to have a staff of between 15 and 20 people and expect to expand from there.
Jobs include ax throwing specialists to monitor lanes and teach first-time customers proper safety procedures and techniques as well as bar staff, kitchen employees and other retail staff.
Menu items include the Axe Burger, Crawfish Tots and Lumberjack Fries for dine-in and beer wine and cocktails at the bar.
Ax throwing has become a popular attraction across the country. The Blacks first discovered the activity on a business trip teaching OSHA compliance in Arkansas in 2019.
Keith has had a 30-year career as a first responder and law enforcement officer.
He started as a reserve deputy for the Madison County Sheriff’s Department and firefighter in Ridgeland in the late eighties and still works with the Reservoir Patrol police department.
“The food and entertainment industry has its own stressors but they are fun stressors,” Keith Black said. “We have enjoyed having something where we can offer fun and safe activities for families and hang out with our friends.”
Visit blackaxesms.com.