Blade & Timber hopes to stick its cutting-edge axe-throwing concept in the bullseye of Kansas City entertainment, opening a new 11-lane facility in the Power & Light District by the end of the summer.
Ryan Henrich and Matt Baysinger, Swell Spark
“We are excited to continue growing our brand nationally, while staying true to our roots,” said Ryan Henrich, co-founder of Blade & Timber, as well as its parent company, Swell Spark.
Headquartered in KC, Swell Spark also includes such concept brands as Breakout KC, Choir Bar and Epic Aloha, and more than 200 employees as part of its “small box” entertainment portfolio. The company has opened six Blade & Timber locations across the U.S. since 2017, when its first axe-throwing experience debuted in Kansas City’s West Bottoms.
The original West Bottoms site is expected to close with the move downtown.
Open to ages 10 and older, the new Power & Light District location at 1303 Baltimore Ave. will offer a private party room, beer menu for adult players, and an expanded selection of entertainment including darts and yard games, according to Henrich and co-founder Matt Baysinger.
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Blade & Timber at Power & Light, top view
“We work each day to grow Blade & Timber as a brand focused on bringing people together for a remarkable experience,” said Baysinger. “This new location is a huge step to bring our Kansas City community a top-of-the-line axe throwing experience.”
Click here to see why Swell Spark/Blade & Timber was one of Startland’s Startups to Watch in 2018.
Blade & Timber is planned for the west side of the Power & Light District neighborhood in the former space of KOBE Japanese Steak and Seafood, across from Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland and adjacent to Yard House. The space will feature accordion-style doors on both the north and west sides of the venue, creating an open-air space to imbibe the energy and buzz of downtown, according to a press release.
“We are always looking for ways to add great local concepts and to add entertainment elements to the Power & Light District,” said Nick Benjamin, executive director of the Power & Light District. “Blade & Timber and the creative minds at Swell Spark check both of these boxes, and we are proud that they want to call the Power & Light District home.”
