Stumpy’s Hatchet House opens in Huntington Beach after being temporarily axed
Stumpy’s Hatchet House is an established franchise on the East Coast.
Throwing a hatchet into a wood target somehow is a reminder of a rainy climate with lumberjacks.
Southern California doesn’t really have either of those. Huntington Beach native Eric LaShelle hadn’t thrown a hatchet since he was in Boy Scouts, but he and his wife, Adriana, were still intrigued by the idea of opening a new location.
“It just seemed fun, and nobody had heard of it in California,” Eric LaShelle said. “It was a cool challenge ... There’s not a lot of California lumberjacks. We have our hipsters.”
All are welcome at the first Stumpy’s to exist on the West Coast. The Huntington Beach hatchet-throwing venue opened its doors this week at 7225 Edinger Ave., Unit A.
The business houses nine pits, each with two boards. Customers need to sign a waiver and there are “pit bosses” that go over the rules, which include wearing closed-toe shoes and no trick shots. There are also common-sense rules, like not going into the pit when someone else is ready to throw.
Hourlong sessions go for $30 per person, with discounts for longer amounts of time and for group play. There are a restaurant and bar inside, as well as a “mosh pit” in the back that features a larger TV, a big set of Jenga blocks and a more lounge type of vibe.
Stationed in each area is a “bull’s-eye bell.” The LaShelles’ son Nikko, 12, has gotten quite good at throwing bull’s-eyes.
Technically Stumpy’s throwers must be at least 18 years old, but there are plans for a family night in the future, as well as a Wednesday night league.
Beer and hatchets may not seem to mix, but not to worry, customers have supervision. The Stumpy’s corporate website emphasizes social distancing between groups, private pits and sanitized surfaces.
“When it gets rowdy in here, it’s actually really cool,” Adriana LaShelle said.
The staff of 12 people includes general manager Fawn Rinalduzzi, a longtime family friend of the LaShelles with a background in startup companies and hospitality.
“I think we’re going to kill it,” Rinalduzzi said. “I think this is kind of the trend nowadays, beyond just going out to have a bite or going to a bar. Having an experience or an activity, I know that’s what I look for now when I go out. It’s a date night, it’s good for bachelorette and bachelor parties, team building. It’s endless. We can do birthday parties, we can do retirement parties, we can do ‘axe your ex’ divorce parties.”
Whether it’s just for fun or for letting off steam, the LaShelles believe in the product. They’re happy to finally open for business, after the coronavirus pandemic almost put an axe to the business.
Getting all the paperwork complete during COVID-19 was problematic, Adriana LaShelle said, and construction took about seven months. The unit was formerly a mattress store.
“There was no plumbing, there was no electricity everywhere, there was no framing,” she said. “I mean, there was nothing. We created that kitchen out of nothing. When we open another one, we will hopefully open an old restaurant. Then it will be a lot quicker.”
Yes, maybe Stumpy’s will take off in Southern California. Kaylista Desa, who was hired as a pit boss, wouldn’t bet against it.
“I had never thrown, but I had seen all of the videos that are online,” Desa said. “It’s a lot more fun than I thought it would be.”
Reservations are encouraged and can be made online by visiting the Huntington Beach location’s website, Facebook page or by calling (714) 980-1402.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.
