By Junious Smith III

Kinston will have an “axe-citing” time in the near future.

The Ironclad Axe Throwing Company is in the process of construction on W. North St., and is projected to be finished by January. Shawn Stengele, one of the owners of the New Bern-based “Beary The Hatchet,” said the Ironclad will be created in a similar manner for Kinstonians.

“There was a lot of group thought with this idea — myself, my wife Audrey, and work partners George and Kim Bessey,” Stengele said. “We’ve had a great response to ‘Beary The Hatchet’ in New Bern, so Kinston was our first choice to expand because of the downtown revitalization and the efforts the city has put into it. We also know the history of the Ironclad, so we were excited to build here.

“This is a family sport for people 10 and up, and we provide a safe environment for everyone to have a great time.”

At “Beary The Hatchet,” patrons pay $20 per hour and receive unlimited throws during the timeframe, along with a safety briefing prior to and advice from trained staff throughout. Stengele said Kinston residents can expect the same level of professionalism as people come out to Ironclad Axe Throwing Company.

“Axe throwing has been around for a long time, and it’s turning into an up-and-coming sport with more notoriety,” Stengele said. “There are competitive leagues in 17 different countries, but most of the ones who come to throw here are regular people. I’m not a great thrower myself, but for many it’s a bit of therapy — they can come here with no worries and throw at targets. It’s a great and awesome experience.”

Stengele said he hopes Kinstonians enjoy the building when it opens.

“We want everyone to come out and go for that bull’s eye,” Stengele said.