LAS CRUCES – Not the typical entertainment venue, however, the punch throw is gaining popularity in the United States. An entrepreneur from Las Cruces expects you to arrive in the City of Crossings.
But, as many small business owners have discovered, the great openings of a pandemic can present a number of challenges.
“I sought to start my own business, but I never discovered the right thing,” said Mike Evett, owner of Aggies’ Axes, 1763 E. University Ave. , Ste. B. In the past, the space was occupied through Aden Market, a Middle Eastern grocery store, which has since moved to 1001 S. Solano Drive.
“We moved to Las Cruces from Austin about two years ago, and I saw a significant shortage of entertainment here, especially for the school and the best school-age students,” he said.
Evett had noticed axes being thrown in other parts of the country and the idea was great. He saw it as something fun to do in Las Cruces.
“They put me in touch with some other people who had started theirs and followed him,” he told The Sun-News.
Because Evett believed the key to the good luck of the position would be his ability to attract students, he intentionally sought a location near the New Mexico State University campus.
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“I need us to be the passing position for entertainment at Las Cruces,” Evett said. “Strategically, we discovered a position right in front of the campus. Students have a position that is within walking distance. They can pass with their friends, get rid of the tension and have fun. It’s as undeniable as that. We need to be the position of Las Cruces.
Prior to the announcement of the first instances of COVID-19 in New Mexico on March 11, Aggies’ axes had been structured for approximately six months.
“Despite everything, we discovered the right space and ended our lease in early January, and you know what happened soon after,” Evett said. “I hadn’t heard of (COVID-19), and then it all happened. “
Evett said he began hearing whispers about the new coronavirus in mid-February. At the time, he said, other people said the flu was much worse than that.
“We were making plans to open in April,” he said. In mid-March it started to sink and we started to realize it was going to push us back. We probably weren’t going to be able to open; and, of course, that brought us back to July.
“I think the simplest thing we could have done would have been to rescue him absolutely immediately,” Evett said. “We had our build-up before things deteriorated with coronavirus, so I felt compelled to maintain my component of commitment. “.
When the pandemic began, Evett paid a contractor. They had reached an agreement and the contractor was doing his part. Evett said she felt the commitment and legal responsibility to take out the paintings and make sure she paid.
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“Fortunately, we expected, as companies do when they start, we needed a contingency fund,” Evett said. “We knew we had to have an x amount of cash to get through the tough times. We had no idea he was coming.
With a cooperative owner willing to make a rental-free era bigger in the early days of the epidemic, the company can access through structure and the most difficult times to prevent coronavirus.
“But I can’t say it easily, ” added Evett. ” It’s very stressful. The most vital thing is that we all seek to treat COVID, but we seek to do it safely. So we weren’t going to hurry up and say, “Come here. Throw axes, just so we can make money. And who cares about your safety. “
However, Evett is someone who gives up easily.
“He’s a guy the way I’ve lived my life,” he says. “When I set myself a goal, I do everything I can to achieve it. Of course, it’s another when you have business partners, when not in my opinion, other people will need something to do. Therefore, even in the most difficult times, it can take much more effort than before. But I think there’s a way to succeed. “
Currently, Aggies’ Axes has an employee. Evett said he felt guilty about her and was looking to make sure she continued to have a job.
“It’s anything that requires a lot of planning, so I need it to succeed; I don’t need it to be a failure,” he added.
Beginning in April, Aggies’ Axes began to focus on locating the right time to open safely. Due to state restrictions, Evett did not believe this was imaginable until July.
“And even then we open with strict restrictions,” he said. And we follow strict restrictions, to make sure we protect everyone and keep our business afloat. “
Evett said the ultimate unforeseen progression of the pandemic is the strict restrictions imposed on businesses through state government. However, he admits that “in a way, this was useful because we didn’t have to make misleading decisions and say, “Well, we think it can be opened safely. »»
Capacity limits its own challenges, Evett said.
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“I’ve never been able to get anywhere in my life with as many other people as I was looking for and doing an activity,” he said. “Our company, by its very nature, encourages teams to join. So this is one of our biggest obstacles: restricting the length of the equipment and its area. »
The profession of lately is limited to 25 people.
“There’s something about, when you throw a punch and nail it on the target of the board, it’s a feeling you don’t have anywhere else,” Evett explained. “At first, you think it will be very difficult, and it is. But usually, after 10 to 15 minutes, you start getting used to it and make a lot of throws.
Evett said there was an achievement that simply saw the punch fly 12 feet in the air and stay on the board, and hear the sound it makes when it sticks.
“It’s quite satisfying. It’s a bit of fun,” he said.
When you enter the Aggies axes, it can be a bit noisy. One is surrounded by the sound of the axes hitting the board or sometimes the ground.
“And, like bowling, you can enjoy yourself through such a giant age organization: your parents, grandparents and younger siblings,” he says. “Everyone can throw and have a good time. “
However, it should be noted that you will have to be at least 12 years old to throw a punch at Aggies punches.
Aggies’ Axes is a member of the World Axe Throwing League and, as a member, plans to start his first league on September 16.
“It will be an eight-week league, ” said Evett. ” We will maintain the score and maintain the score with the WATL app; If your scores are high enough, you can qualify for other tournaments across the country. is organized through ESPN on national television. »
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While punch throwing may not be a family activity in Las Crucens, Evett believes it’s a hobby that citizens can adopt and enjoy without problems.
“Throwing axes is nothing worth being bullied,” he said. “You go into the room and we give you a demonstration. We give you advice and let you go. We need you to spend the most productive time. A lot of other people are worried, but everyone who’s come so far has had a lot of fun. They think it was more of a laugh than they expected.
Contrary to popular belief, good fortune is a matter of brute force, or throwing the hard axe, he said.
“It’s more of a matter of delicacy. It’s just an exclusive sport. It’s one of the things you have to try. There’s no trial in Aggies’ Axes. We need you to have time. “
What: Aggies Axes
Where: 1763 E. University Ave. Ste. Second
When:
Contact: 575-449-2225
Online: in https://www. aggiesaxes. com/; Facebook on https://www. facebook. com/aggiesaxes/.
Damien Willis is a senior journalist for Las Cruces Sun-News. He can be contacted at 575-541-5443, dwillis@lcsun-news. com or @DamienWillis on Twitter.
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