by Eve Sanchez Silver
At 3 AM, Lisamarie Sanchez Leadens and her son, Joe Sanchez, are huddled together, poring over the final stages of their tricky and complex renovation plans. They are working out, the opening target dates for the hottest new venue in San Antonio, soon to be opening Downtown, for the business of hatchet throwing.
First Franchise
Stumpy’s Hatchet House of San Antonio is located at 758 Isom Road, near the 281 (McCallister Freeway). Leadens and her family traveled across the country from Texas, and managed to snag the first franchise out of the original Stumpy’s, when she met with the owners, in Eatontown, New Jersey. Leadens’ exciting and innovative 21+ Adult recreation franchise is rising quickly now in San Antonio; the smell of raw wood and success, in the air.
Stumpy’s: Near It All
Stumpy’s facility is just 5 short minutes from San Antonio International Airport, and 10 minutes from the world famous Riverwalk, and its two miles from the famous North Star Mall giant cowboy boots. In the busy Downtown San Antonio area, Stumpy’s unique recreation venue will draw visitors from all over the city and beyond. The Candlewood Suites Hotel is right nearby, offering patrons a handy local fun spot to access with their visitors and business associates.
10,000 Square Feet of Nothin’ But Fun
About 2,500 square feet of the total area contains: the Wood Shed Banquet Room, (for parties, showers and meetings); some comfortable seating areas; the lobby area/shop, and, the Training Room, where Throwing Experts provide safety precautions, training on handling a hatchet safely, and advice on how to remain safe as you take your very best shot. The entire facility is handicap accessible.
Twelve Axe Pits comprise the remaining space.
- There is a ten person max per pit per period
- Groups, team building events, and parties, can book several pits at a time
- Cost per hatchet-throwing person is $40 per each, two hour time slot
- $20 per one hour timeslot
- $15 dollars for non-throwing Adult Spectators
- For safety reasons, children are not allowed.
It all comes together in a fresh and exciting jolt to the senses
The smell of raw lumber. The sounds of bells and cheering as hatchets strike their marks. The Throwing Experts coach from the sides, giving everyone tips. You listen and remember: your mind and muscles synch up, and its your turn. You work to train your body to follow the instructions and what you learned in the training room. You grab your axe, you take your stance, you set your mark, and lock your arms. And you actually get better. Better at it and wow! You stick. You get closer to your goal, and suddenly it happens: You grab your bell-pull and announce your bullseye to everyone in the place. There’s more whoopin’ and cheering, but this time, it’s for you.
And never once, did you look at your mobile phone.
When was the last time that happened?
Family First
As Chief Operating Officer, with more than twenty years expertise, Leadens maintains oversight of Stumpy’s as it rises up under her careful direction. A mortgage banker, vice president, and teacher, Leadens now envisions a Family legacy to build with her sons. Keeping a close Family Unit, is the single most important goal of her life.
The Military Family of single mother Lisamarie Leadens includes four sons: Eldest son, and Stumpy’s of San Antonio CEO, is Andrew J. Hershey SGT First Class. Stumpy’s General Manager is Leadens second eldest, Joe Sanchez, (Active Army). Third son Michael Alves is working on his PhD in Chemistry, her youngest son attends school in San Antonio. Leadens godson, Matthew Velez, (Veteran, Army) will serve as Stumpy’s Floor Manager.
Here Stands A Hero: Dedicating Stumpy’s Hatchet House of San Antonio To Our Troops
As Service Members and strong Service Family advocates, it is the Family’s desire to dedicate Stumpy’s Hatchet House of San Antonio, to all Military: Active, Veterans, Reserves, and, Retired, National Guard, Police and First Responders: Service ID cards will secure each a 20% discount. “With two sons in Service to our Nation, I want to be sure to be mindful of the many sons and daughters of other families whose loved ones are currently in service, and, to honor those who fell in the protection of our country,” says Leadens.
Stumpy’s Hatchet House of San Antonio has planned an invitational Soft-Opening Red Carpet Event for the day before their Grand Opening date. “The soft-opening date will be set aside to honor the Military and Service Members of Military City USA,” Leadens says, “A place that welcomes and honors our Heroes.” A permanent photo opportunity spot within the facility will be set aside. “There will be a star on the floor that will say, ‘HERE STANDS A HERO.’ That’s the title and first line of a poem by my sister, Publicist and Singer/Song Writer, Eve Sanchez Silver,” says Leadens. “The complete poem will be above the star, by the flag, on a plaque on the wall. My sister wrote it for our Heroes, and dedicated it to our late brother, Eric Quintin Sanchez, a Marine.”
HERE STANDS A HERO
Here stands a Hero.
Beneath this flag and plaque, here stands, our son, our daughter,
my grade school friend, my nephew, my true love.
Here is the person, willing to, their life lay down for mine.
Honor these with me …
(Excerpted from HERE STANDS A HERO, by Eve Sanchez Silver)
Stumpy’s Hatchet House of San Antonio plans to be open by early this April. “I’m anxiously waiting for the last nail to hit its mark so I can get the word out on our Grand Opening Date!” says Leadens.
