Town Crier Articles

The New Town Commercial Association inaugurated another fun social event this month:  Wednesday evening concerts in Pecan Square (at the corner of Discovery and Ironbound Road).

 

Johnny St. Clair kicked off the series on September 18 with an easy going program that put the emphasis on old school country tunes.  The weather was perfect for an evening of music and many New Town residents were in the audience.  Johnny performed solo but he provides his own bass accompaniment for his guitar using pedals as an organist would.  There is a lot happening in a Johnny St. Clair live performance but he makes it all sound super smooth.

 

The “Coming Soon” sign is coming down at 4919 Courthouse Street.  AXE REPUBLIC  has arrived. Opening festivities will take place October 25–27, according to business-owner Nikki Montero, who has leased the property.  Have you experienced axe throwing?  This centuries-old sport, with ties to knights, Vikings and lumberjacks, is known to evoke primal competitive feelings in participants. 

 

“And, it’s really fun,” adds Nikki.  “Axe throwing can be enjoyed by both men and women and a wide range of age groups. You don’t need any special skills to throw one.”

 

That’s something she discovered herself when she was introduced to axe throwing by a friend for her birthday. At the time she was exploring options for a new venture, and immediately delved into some intense research about the flourishing axe throwing rage.  Before long she was convinced that this rapidly growing sport would be a great fit for New Town. 

 

More and more sports, from rock climbing to sky diving to pickleball, have created indoor versions that can be experienced year round in climate controlled indoor space. Participation is not weather dependent. Devotees are able to maintain training year round and entrepreneurs can count on steady return from their business investment.  Add axe throwing to the list of newly “indoor” activities.

 

The New Town location is ideal, Nikki noted, citing the convenient parking, proximity to shopping areas, Colonial Williamsburg, the college and other places where she might draw interest. “Most local residents of all ages maintain active lifestyles. The movie theater, restaurants, pubs and fitness centers, all contribute to a lively nighttime vibe. Sidewalk traffic is abundant in this walkable community and that increases our visibility and our chances of walk-in business,” she said.

 

Nikki Montero, the sole owner of AXE REPUBLIC, is confident about her own abilities and brings a unique set of skills to running the business.  She has traveled widely as a former military wife, worked in the stock market arena, been a stay-at-home/active-in-the-community Mom, and most recently worked as a school nurse with Williamsburg/James City County Schools at D.J.Montague Elementary. 

 

Picture deleted in this file

Nikki Montero, owner of Axe Republic, in front of a target. 

Opening celebration will take place October 27 - 29

 

Her enthusiastic support team includes husband Eddie, who owns and operates two The UPS Stores; their college-age children, CJ and Hannah, who are enrolled at UVA and JMU; parents Ron and Francine; and, other family, friends and community associates. Friends and family members assisted with the demolition process, removal of debris, painting and construction of lanes; while contractors created a kitchen suitable for handling the food and beverage needs.

 

Though axe throwing is quite safe, safety is taken seriously. Precautions and lane rules are reviewed before guests enter the throwing area and lanes are monitored.  Come prepared – all players must wear closed toe shoes (no high heels or sandals allowed). No intoxicated person may throw. And, should you own an axe, leave it at home. Except in League competition players must use house axes.

 

Each of 12 throwing lanes accommodates 2-6 players at a time. A single walk-in customer might pair up with another single player who is hoping for a match.  Larger groups can reserve multiple lanes. Booking lanes online is recommended (www.axerepublic.com).  The minimum age for axe throwing is 14 years.  Groups that contain 14- to 17-year olds must include at least one playing adult. The cost to throw is $27 per person for 75 minutes of lane time.

 

Novices will be able to learn how to throw an axe on site and then consult with those experienced Axe Coaches - called “Axeperts”-  as they play. 

Montero shares today’s consumer preference for “EATertainment” venues, those that combine activities with food and beverages in one place (29%, according to a survey conducted by research firm YouGov). AXE REPUBLIC is designed to be an all-in one place entertainment/recreation establishment. 

 

The interior ambiance at AXE REPUBLIC is a mix of rustic features and modern industrial surfaces created with both wood and hi-tech materials. Wire fencing, metal mesh and poles, and wood panels define the boundaries of the throwing lanes. At the head of each lane there is a raw wood backdrop displaying a large round target outlined in black with a bold red bulls-eye at the center. 

Nikki says, “The comfortable lounge area has a different vibe. It is separate from the throwing lanes, but has a view of them. Watching the competition is part of the excitement.” 

 

The lounge is furnished with high top tables and stools Here patrons can enjoy gourmet hot dogs, cookies from Celli’s Chocolate Chips and other exceptional snacks and varied beverages including craft brews from Virginia Beer Company. “Some patrons will visit us to demonstrate their existing skills; others, to learn the art of hurling an axe at a large wooden bulls-eye target,” she said. “Games can be friendly rivalries, or fierce competitions. It’s up to the players. There may be customers that come in just for the food and beverages,” Nikki anticipates.  

 

When it comes to attracting customers, Nikki Montero sees many possible directions.  “We expect AXE REPUBLIC to be an exciting date night destination. The novelty aspect of axe throwing will draw in some curious folks and also position us as an interesting venue for birthday, bachelorette, office parties and other events. I envision business colleagues coming in after work.  College students should find this a great place to have fun – my own kids included.  Groups of friends or couples could meet here before a movie or stay all evening. This will be a lively place where tourists and families can get something to eat and drink and either watch others play or join the games themselves.  It works on so many levels,” she said.

 

Defined by distinct shapes and forged from varied materials, axes have been used for centuries in many capacities – as tools, weapons and even as amulets to protect crops from bad weather.  It’s not hard to imagine how throwing these implements became a competitive pastime for those who handled axes regularly and had time on their hands. Yet today, axe throwing is a rapidly growing craze that captivates all sorts of participants, many that have never handled a tool of any sort. 

 

“Everyone wants to experience something that’s new and different,” suggested Nikki. 

 

League competition has encouraged interest in and promoted skill building for bowling, archery and many other individual and recreational sports.  Now leagues are being developed for axe throwing.  AXE REPUBLIC Williamsburg has affiliated with the World Axe Throwing League (WATL).  This means that local players can join competitive league matches on Tuesday nights beginning with the 8-week Winter Season that starts January 14, 2020.  Local winners will qualify to compete in regional and national contests.

 

In a press release announcing the lease of 4919 Courthouse Street, Kelly Voss of Developers Realty, the company that manages New Town’s commercial properties, expressed her pleasure with the new business, saying, “We’ve been searching for the right user to activate this corner location for some time and believe we’ve hit the bull’s-eye with AXE REPUBLIC!”

 

Drew Haynie, of Cushman and Wakefield | Thalhimer said, “Nikki is a true entrepreneur and an energetic early adapter bringing a fantastic and nationally trending new concept to New Town.”  

 

He also offered an upbeat projection about the potential impact of this new business, stating, “Watch for more entertainment/EATertainment and family friendly concepts coming to Main Street in 2019. New Town Main ownership has really made a big commitment to keep the center relevant and dynamic by attracting fresh offerings and hot concepts that offer something for everyone.”

 

One final note: Nikki Montero is not only an entrepreneurial business owner in New Town, she is also a resident.  She and her husband reside in the Village Walk neighborhood. She says it’s an added bonus that she can now walk to work, so keep an eye out for her on the sidewalks and give her a welcoming shout!

 

www.axerepublic.com                 

AXE REPUBLIC HOURS

Monday:                                      CLOSED

Tuesday:                                      Leagues/ Special Events

Wednesday–Thursday:                    5 – 9 PM

Friday:                                          5 – 10 PM

Saturday:                                     11 AM – 10 PM

Sunday:                                        12 NOON – 6 PM

Warm weather brings the constant din of hammering and heavy equipment on our streets. Perhaps you’ve seen the crews working day (and night) to complete some of the remaining homes in New Town. We thought it was time for a construction update.

 

 

Roper Park is closing in on completion. Of its 93 planned townhomes, 13 are unsold. Construction of the remaining units bordering Center Street and Casey Boulevard is anticipated to be completed in 2020. According to Mike Youngblood of Twiddy Realty (representative of the builder, Atlantic Homes) the pace of sales has been about 18 homes a year for this neighborhood. Roper Park’s properties include the Federal Townhomes, Parks Edge, Woods View, and Townhouses on the Green. (In case you’ve found the variety of names confusing, Roper Park is considered legally to be Charlotte Park, Section 7, Lots 125+ for James City County records. The different home styles and their relationship to greenspace drove the distinction in marketing.)

 

 

Of the 98 planned homes in Village Walk, 79 are sold and 19 are available. The last section of five townhomes opposite Trader Joe’s will be 4-story designs and their construction is expected to begin in January 2020. According to Eagle Construction representative, Kelli Davis. “Homes have been moving well and we hope to be wrapped up here in summer 2020.” Kelli said that Village Walk appeals to buyers as a “close-knit, homey community.” 

 

 

 

 

Next month the first residents of Shirley Park should be moving in, according to Mike Youngblood. Twelve single family homes have been sold to date, and up to 6 of these residences will be finished this year. When completed, Shirley Park will include detached as well as attached duplex and triplex models. Overall, the community will probably take until 2024 to reach full buildout.

 

 

Shirley Park will include a series of affordable townhomes, as per the proffers for New Town. Clearing has begun for this area, although some of these townhouses are still in conceptual design. Youngblood sees sales in Shirley Park as “evidence of confidence in New Town” and stated further “market values have held” and that should be good news for all residents in our community.

 

 

Shirley Park also honors three of the original driving forces behind New Town’s development – John McCann, Joseph Stettinius, and Larry Salzman. The major thoroughfares of the neighborhood have been named for each of them: McCann Way, Stettinius Trail and Salzman Street.

This past spring, the Landscape Advisory Committee emailed a link to our first Landscaping Survey to better understand how our landscape contractor, Virginia Lawn and Landscape, is doing and what our residents would like to see going forward. The survey helps our committee identify ways to improve landscape services while maintaining efficiency. 

 

To see more of the overall survey responses, please view the Committee’s presentation on the NTRA website. 

 

Angela Lesnett and her husband, Fred, moved to New Town’s Village Walk neighborhood from Arlington, Virginia, in 2017. 

 

Since moving to the Williamsburg area, Angela’s involvement in the community has included volunteering for Literacy for Life and starting the Women's Lunch Group in New Town. She enjoys travel and reading, and is committed to daily workouts at the Jamestown Recreation Center (...a necessity, Angela says, because she also enjoys the many good restaurants in Williamsburg). 

 

 

The NTRA Activities Committee organized a very successful party at the pool on the evening of July 17.  When I arrived at 7PM, I could not even find a chair!  They served over 150 hot dogs (donated by Paul’s Deli) and provided drinks for a hot summer night.  The crowd dissipated quickly at the end as the sky darkened, more with threatening clouds than with the coming night. (Pictures at the bottom.)

 

But before that happened, I randomly approached several attendees and asked for their ideas about this guy.

 

It’s the frog in the fountain outside the Regal Theater.  The majority of folks could identify where the picture was taken but they were pretty evenly split on recalling that there is a frog.  Even so, after studying the picture, everybody was willing to offer an opinion on what he or she is doing.  

 

Ellen and Mark Tibbles of Center Street were at the party with their daughter Emi. They are newcomers to New Town. They were the first to offer me an opinion that made me realize the frog is not necessarily doing what I thought. I assumed he was running around in a circle, maybe to amuse or impress one of the other frogs in the fountain. But the Tibbles think he is dancing in fountain’s sprays.

 

Virginia and Dick Barch of Charlotte Park recognized the fountain, but had been unaware of the frogs.  However, they had the marvelous insight that the frog is doing Tai Chi!  Kind of like those Zumba sessions in the community pool.

 

Even though Karin and Don McQueen of Chelsea Green have been here only two weeks, they recognized the frog.  They believe he is preparing to belly flop from his upper perch into the bottom bowl of the fountain.

 

Tracy and Jon Waible of New Town Avenue split on whether they had seen the frog before. But their impression leaned again towards dance; possibly a synchronized swimming performance with the other frogs in the fountain.  If you think about it, that would be a super cool thing to watch while sitting on a bench with a frozen yogurt.  

 

And suddenly, the crowd was gone.  But thanks to the folks who talked to me about New Town’s whimsical frog statuary. And thanks to the Activities Committee for putting on another fine event that brought people together from across New Town.