SAN JOSE — A high-profile downtown San Jose venue affected by California's poor business climate and city rules will close its doors inside days, a brand new blow to the town's fragile urban core.
According to the venue's primary owner and operator and a Facebook post, the Ax-Men Throw House, positioned near the corner of South Second Street and East Santa Clara Street, will stop operations this month.
The closure comes despite some positive business for Axe-Men Throw House.
“Business improved,” said Sarah Sed, principal owner and operator of Axe-Men Throw House. “We had a great product and there was a lot of interest. Our guests loved that they received tailored ax throwing training. Trainers were on site during a session.”
Ultimately, nevertheless, the rise in sales over greater than two years of operation was not enough.
“Beyond the high cost of doing business in California and the high rent in San Jose, we could never make enough money,” Sed said. “We could never be consistently profitable.”
Even the distinguished location at 14 South Second Street within the old Voodoo Lounge constructing was not enough to make sure the long-term success of the ax throwing business.
Ax-Men Throw House publicly announced its decision to shut in an April 12 post on its Facebook page.
“After much consideration, we have made the difficult decision to permanently close Axe-Men Throw House on April 21,” the corporate said within the Facebook post. “We would like to invite all of our great customers to join us during our regular business hours until our last day. Enjoy one last throw with us!”
Sed decided to not renew his lease for the constructing. The ax throwing facility opened in 2022 and the lease was in its final stages.
Startup costs and ongoing regulatory challenges contributed to this decision, she said.
“The approval process with both Santa Clara County and the city of San Jose was very difficult,” Sed said. “We encountered many hurdles. The question arose as to whether it was worth putting more money into it.”
In addition to local permitting difficulties, California's poor business climate and strict regulatory requirements were also aspects within the ax thrower's impending closure.
Sed said she believes there are significant differences between the bureaucratic restrictions in California and Texas, where she also runs an ax throwing business in Houston.
The company said a warm farewell in its public post on the Facebook platform.
“We thank each and every one of you who have supported us over the years,” Axe-Men Throw House said in its Facebook post. “Let’s make some final memories together before we say goodbye.”
Another ax throwing spot is anticipated to open just a few blocks away on the bottom floor of the Paseo Building at 201 South Second Street, possibly by the top of the yr.
The planned venue is named Unofficial Logging. The latest ax throwing business shall be positioned near Urban Putt, a miniature golf course that opened its doors in February and is drawing large crowds.
As for Axe-Men Throw House, the departure is a brand new blow to San Jose's urban core, which remains to be struggling to get well from the economic woes brought on by the coronavirus which can be still affecting downtown districts within the Bay Area and are affected across the country.
Despite the continuing economic problems in San Jose's urban heart, Sed regrets that her enterprise in the town's downtown has not grow to be a long-term success story.
“I wish it had worked,” Sed said. “San Jose is a great city.”
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