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"Midwest Nice" doesn't even begin to describe the culture which has been cultivated at Green Bay Axe, the first of our League/Venue Spotlights. Joe (the owner) has given the run of the space to his managers- Joe and Amber Devine- who have injected the venue with creativity, inclusivity, and their own incredible passion for the sport and its growth.
Green Bay Axe started shortly after a visit to a similar axe throwing venue in Milwaukee and a quick search to show that, disappointingly, nothing like that was present in the Green Bay area. As he said "I didn't know what I was creating, I just thought it was fun, and it sort of blew up." As he would likely agree, the success of the venue is largely due to the careful stewardship of the Devines, who he intends to bring in as part owners later this year for all that they have put in
Both Amber and Joe worked in the hospitality industry and in management of varying organizations prior to starting at Green Bay Axe, and Amber started as manager the day before the covid shutdown, shifting from a very different managerial role at a micro-biology lab. At the time, Joe still worked managing a restaurant but would join his wife in running the venue shortly after everything opened back up.
Throughout all his endeavors, Joe has always strived to "make people feel special" a sentiment instilled in him by his grandfather, Ted. Joe credits both his grandfather and his mother, an incredibly optimistic spirit who consistently encouraged the pursuit of Joe's passions, for the man he has become. Although his grandfather is an incredible athlete who set multiple records in several sports at the collegiate and high school level and retired as a hall of fame golf coach, the most common praise heard of him is how great a guy he is and how he made them feel. Joe carries this same mentality into running their leagues, and he, along with Amber, have created one of the most engaged leagues in the country.
League nights at Green Bay Axe have something for everyone. Although the venue is one of the smallest, hosting only 2.5 full lanes, it packs a lot of character- quite literally sometimes with week 7 costume nights. Each league carries a new theme, including Octoberfest, 80s glam band, and, most recently, RPGs. These themes also carry different 'achievements' which throwers can earn points towards, allowing community members to accomplish goals outside of winning matches or achieving scores on a leaderboard. These achievement runs the gambit from buying someone a drink, fist bumping after a match, agreeing to nine and 10, playing 'spicy dice,' and taking the adventure of ordering with a d100- a fun way to order a drink from their menu of 100 different craft beers and beverages.
The latest season took the achievement idea and leveled it up, creating complete classes and skill trees for competitors to try and complete. Local tattoo artists help create shirts and David McIntyre made custom stickers for each of the 6 unique classes and Multiclasses. In addition to patronizing and supporting local businesses, the league also gives back through seasonal donations to different charities including local homeless shelters and dog and cat rescues.
All of the effort these two have put in over the years have been to create the type of community to which they long to be a part. Amber, while she didn't grow up around a ton of family, had an incredibly hard working mother who inspired Amber's spirit of generosity. This 'other's first' mentality helped both of them find a family and home within the amazing community present in the sport. Traveling to their first tournament in 2021 showed them that this same community exists on the larger scale, and while they travel to much more now, they always seek to bring something of that fun and engaged group back to their own leaguers at home who may not have the opportunity to travel. Recently, they hosted the "Wisconsin Open," a small tournament in which a men's and women's bracket competed in hatchet, big axe, and knives in successive rounds before the top 2 of each then formed mixed duals teams to compete for the title.
When not devoting a considerable time to league, Amber and Joe also enjoy comic books, craft beer, star wars (which will be the theme of their upcoming league with new, team based feats to accomplish) and other nerdy pursuits. They've put a ton of their own spirit and personality into the space, and, each time you visit, you may notice new or different pieces of memorabilia scattered throughout. As someone who loves crafts, creating, and has a wide variety of interests, Amber's creativity and spontaneity is present through every square foot of the space. While you're there, either one would be happy to chat about their passion for the sport (or other pursuits) and recommend one of their 100 drinks, or, if you're an adventurous or indecisive sort, you can try your luck on their 100 sided die and let fate decide! Given their love for beer, I'm sure you'll like whatever the die decides, and, if not: Roll Better!
Joe said his grandfather was often known for saying that: "If you're good at something you don't need to tell anyone, they'll tell you." Well, Joe and Amber, we're telling you, and the community in Green Bay, as well as the broader community of the sport, is the better for your involvement in it.
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