Fargo's First "Ax-ceptional" Entertainment

Marcel Baumgartner, co-owner of Triple Ax.

Fargo's First "Ax-ceptional" Entertainment

What they thought was a simple anniversary trip turned out to be life-changing. Marcel Baumgartner and her boyfriend, Erik Kalberg came back to Fargo with an “ax-ceptional” idea.

To open Fargo’s first ax-throwing range.

“It kinda came out of nowhere,” said Marcel Baumgartner, coowner of Triple Ax.

Ax throwing came up after Googling ideas on what to do in Minneapolis, they decided to try it out – and they fell in love. The owners of the business were not looking to expand to Fargo, so Baumgartner and Kalberg agreed to take it into their hands.

“On the drive home, we were like, we could do it. Let’s do it,” said Baumgartner with a smile. “This seems like something we would be able to do on our own. We jumped in.”

To both Baumgartner and Kalberg, ax throwing is more than just a business – for them it’s a place to build community. When they were digging into how to start up an axthrowing business, they sought out the help of other business owners and found a community behind the ax. “They were really helpful to us and trying to get the sport to grow,” said Baumgartner with a smile.

Before opening the doors, the couple first brainstormed some ideal customers they wanted to attract. “We were like well lumberjacks, guys, big beards – that’s it!” said Baumgartner as she began to laugh. Let’s just say their guess was a little off. They soon realized Triple Ax was a welcoming place for all types of people.

Everyone from children, women, and big guys with beards flooded the doors of Triple Ax. “It really made me realize how well this (Triple Ax) fit in with Fargo,” Baumgartner said.

Triple Ax opened its doors on March 15, 2019, and since their grand opening they’ve had a substantial surge of ax-throwing flannel-wearing participants, Cass County Electric included. We traded our work attire for some flannel to see first-hand what axthrowing was all about.

Most of the Cass County Electric employees were intimidated by throwing an ax because it’s not a normal activity in this area – at least not yet.

As we arrived, Baumgartner coached us through how to throw an ax properly, what techniques work the best to get a stick, and of course, went over the rules.

Baumgartner explains simple ax-throwing techniques to Cass County Electric employees.

For what could be a hazardous sport, there are only five rules Triple Ax enforces.

1. Closed-toe shoes are required

2. Throw only when the lane is clear

3. Retrieve a xes once all throwers in the lane have finished

4. Do NOT throw if there is already an ax in the target

5. Do not attempt to stop a moving ax

Besides those five rules, you must be 10-years-old or older to participate. There is no alcohol allowed in the facility – they wanted a place where anyone could come on a Friday night and hang out. You would be hardpressed to find a negative review about Triple Ax.

There is a learning curve, but Baumgartner makes sure all ax throwers get at least one stick during their throwing time.

“I really like seeing the transformation people go through when they come in scared or frightened and by the time they leave they are excited and wanting to come back,” said Baumgartner. “I love seeing that change and people enjoy it.”

In the future Triple Ax plans on joining the World Ax Throwing League and hopes to open up a second facility near NDSU.

Since opening Triple Ax created a mobile ax throwing setup. With two targets, a fenced area, and lots of axes they can bring their “axceptional” good time anywhere.

PRICES

$20 – one hour for one person $35 – two hours for one person $80 – one lane for one hour (up to 8 people)

See website for party reservations, tripleax.com, call 701-561-6906, or email tripleax@outlook.com.