3rd ax-throwing venue in Libertyville would include a ‘rage room’

What would be the third ax-throwing spot in Libertyville has a thumbs-up from an advisory panel.

The village plan commission has recommended adding ax throwing and rage amusement lounges as permitted special uses in a shopping center district for the proposed business at 1419 Peterson Road in the Butterfield Square shopping center.

A special use permit to operate iSmash, a franchise business featuring a “rage room,” ax throwing and other group activities, in one of the tenant spaces also was recommended.

According to village documents, ABJ Ventures LLC is seeking approvals for a use currently not permitted in the shopping center commercial district.

Ax throwing also is featured at Up North Axe & Tap, downtown at 547 N. Milwaukee Ave., and Timberjaxe Axe Throwing Lounge, in a strip center at 216 Peterson Road. Neither is in a C-4 shopping center district.

Butterfield Square is anchored by Sunset Foods grocery store and has several commercial/retail tenants in the main building and outlots of the property at Butterfield and Peterson roads.

The proposal is for a “rage room” or “smash room” where patrons rent time and space to destroy various items such as glass or electronics in a controlled setting with supervision.

Information provided to the village says rage room participants will be required to watch a training video and wear face protection and body suits. The activity will be a safe outlet for stress management, team building and entertainment, according to ABJ.

Ax throwing for ages 13 and older, paint splatter rooms for all ages and virtual target shooting simulator using infrared guns, also would be offered, according to village materials.

Healthy beverage and snack machines may be installed but there would be no alcohol or food served, although party catering may be a possibility at some point.

According to ABJ, it would encourage the adaptive reuse of an existing building and increase its marketability and leasing potential. It is described as a scheduled, appointment-based indoor activity with limited occupancy and no adverse impact on adjacent properties.

In fact, the use by a “well-managed, nationally recognized franchise,” would enhance the vitality of the area and increase foot traffic to other businesses, ABJ told the village.

The recommendations were subject to ABJ working with village staff to include a definition of “rage amusement lounge” into the zoning code for future reference.

That would be considered at a future meeting. The current request should proceed to permitting without delay, the panel advised.

The village board will consider the matter at its regular meeting beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday at village hall, 118 W. Cook Ave. If trustees agree, official ordinances will be prepared for the next board meeting.