OUR STORY
What started out as a day of axe throwing during a trip to South Carolina to celebrate New
Year’s, turned into a business venture for friends and partners Don Lincoln and Jerry Hendricks.
With craft beer and cider on tap and plenty of restaurants and activities to choose from, you
didn’t have to drive to find something to eat or activities to entertain the family. Don and Jerry
knew from this experience that they wanted to open their very own axe throwing location in
the Lakes Region; one that offered more than just the fun of throwing– a place to relax, go out
to eat with friends and family, and have an all-around great time. Axe & Ale Taphouse checks all
the boxes: a place to eat, drink, and throw!
A partnership with Gilford Cinemas 8 at Airport Commons emerged, and it just made sense.
With an adjoining door for easy access to either venue, parents can drop their kids off at the
movies and walk right next door for dinner and drinks, or better yet, an hour of axe throwing!
The strategic location in close proximity to the entrance of the Bank of NH Pavilion, allows
concert goers to stop by for a chance to eat, drink, and throw before heading to their concert.
As partners, both Don and Jerry bring their prior business experience to the table. Don has a
background in manufacturing and sold his company in 2015. Since then, he has entered into the
restaurant industry with his family. Together, they own several restaurants including The Urban
Wren, a fine dining restaurant in Greenville, SC, voted Best in State 2020, with a second
location opening next to Fluor Field, home to the Red Sox Farm Team. The family also owns the
Gilford Village Store right here in Gilford. Jerry’s background is in residential and commercial
construction and has had his own company since 1999. With a background in construction and
an all-around love for all things outdoorsy, Jerry’s a natural for this project. His experience in
running multiple construction sites at once has been critical to building out the restaurant, bar,
and throwing lanes.
Axe & Ale will feature a 150 seat restaurant with a creative menu, craft beer on tap, craft
cocktails, with 13 lanes of traditional axe throwing, optional video projector lanes for added
fun, and a game area with games like corn hole and giant Jenga. Don and Jerry, along with their wives Roberta and Stace, are excited to announce this new venture.
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