Stidham’s Axe Throwing Lounge to move to Mull Town Center

Stidham’s Axe Throwing Lounge is leveling up and sharpening its vision with a move to the Mull Town Center, where it will swing into late summer with more room, food, entertainment, and extended hours for one of Morganton’s hangouts.

The idea for the lounge came about after Dylan Stidham and Kristin Hamm went to an axe-throwing lounge and decided that Morganton needed an expanded entertainment venue.

“We went and did axe-throwing ourselves and knew Morganton could use something like this,” Stidham said.

Stidhams’ West Fleming Drive location first opened in May 2021 and has grown steadily each year, leading to the need for a bigger space.

“We need a kitchen,” Stidham said. “That’s our main downfall right now is not having food. We’re not going to have a big, crazy menu. It’s going to be a really simple menu. We’ll stick to a fried food menu, or appetizers, bar foods, and sandwiches.”

Stidham plans to release his signature sandwich on the menu: toast, bologna, livermush, cheese, lettuce, and mayonnaise.

The new location will feature a more open concept, upping the square footage by 1,300 feet, bringing the total space to 7,300 square feet. Guests will enter through an entrance below Boulevard Barbeque and a second entrance on the Mull Town Center side.

According to Stidham, all plans have been submitted to the City of Morganton. Once approved, Stidham expects construction to take three months to complete.

Customers will find 12 pool tables, axe-throwing, a mechanical bull, arcade games, a stage, and table and chair seating. The bar will contain draft beer and a full mixed beverage bar. In addition, Stidham’s will feature live music and karaoke events.

“There’s nothing that I enjoy more than seeing people on social media having fun, taking pictures in our establishment,” Stidham said.

With the move, Stidham’s will feature extended hours, opening at 11 a.m. seven days a week for lunch. An age restriction will be enforced Friday and Saturday nights; at 9:30 p.m., the lounge becomes 21 and older only. All ages are welcome at any other time.

West Fleming location to become family fun entertainment center

Stidham plans to keep the West Fleming Drive location and make it a family fun entertainment center equipped with arcade games, bounce houses, and prizes. The entertainment venue will also be available for birthday parties and special events.

“We won’t have alcohol at that location,” Stidham said. “I’m seeing that everybody’s been complaining that there’s nowhere to take their kids to have fun where there’s no alcohol being served.”

In a few weeks, the axe-throwing stations will be removed from the West Fleming for a trial run with arcade games. If the arcade is successful, they plan to keep it at that location.

“We’re very grateful for all the support we’ve had so far. This started out as just an idea, and it grew into a very successful business that I think a lot of our citizens of Morganton and surrounding cities enjoy coming to every week,” Stidham said.