Dec. 13, 2021

JJ’s Axes & Ales has started construction on an expansion that will include more activities and meeting space.

The business at 3000 W. 57th St. is expanding into a neighboring space, adding 1,700 square feet, so it now will total 4,800 square feet.

Tom Slattery opened the ax-throwing business in 2018 and expanded to the current location near his retail, bar and event space last year.

Demolition has started on the addition, which will include pool tables and video lottery machines.

“We’re giving people things to do when they’re not throwing axes and allowing for more activities during large group events,” Slattery said.

The back of the space will be a business office for JJ’s and will include a conference room that also will be available for small group meetings and events.

“The plan is to purge the wall and join the two spaces around the first part of January and be fully operational by the second week of January,” Slattery said.

JJ’s Axes & Ales will continue to offer five cages with two lanes each for ax-throwing, which Slattery said has proved popular with all ages.

“We’re finding people want to do it in family situations, crossing lots of generations,” he said, adding he has many social events booked this month and next such as birthday parties and family gatherings.

“And we’re experimenting with different targets instead of the traditional bull’s-eye,” he added. “We’re doing targets that stretch people’s imaginations as far as their throwing ability.”

That includes several seasonal-themed targets.

Guests at JJ’s Axes & Ales also can order food from the JJ’s menu across the parking lot — which recently expanded — and it’s delivered.