This is the second in a series of articles that illustrate the benefit of offering ticketed experiences that positively impact the bottom line of locally owned retailers while also contributing to the vibrant creative economy that continues to emerge in Northwest Arkansas. The creative economy involves both individuals and entities who engage in activities that add value to society in one or more ways through the provision of goods and/or services that are inextricably linked to human creativity manifesting itself in one or more dimensions through the process of ideation, creation, production, distribution and use.

As Northwest Arkansas continues to experience rapid growth, we are privileged to become acquainted with entrepreneurs and small business owners who offer innovative, interactive experiences to enhance our quality of life in Northwest Arkansas. The following stories are from our local creative economy.

Ozark Axe House
Tales of axe throwing competitions date back to the late middle ages and to Celtic tribes throughout Europe. It is said Europeans brought the tools to the New World where native Americans utilized tomahawks. Frontiersmen and lumberjacks in North America also used them for work, hunting and for sport. Today, axe throwing is seeing a resurgence as a popular urban sport in Canada, Thailand, Australia, France, the UK, the USA and right here in Northwest Arkansas.

Ozark Axe House, located at 718 N. 2^nd St. in Downtown Rogers, provides a lively venue where individuals and groups may experience axe throwing in a safe, casual indoor venue. Whether you want to learn a new skill, join an axe throwing league, participate in a competitive tournament, or just have a good time, Ozark Axe House is a fun option for spending time with family, friends and co-workers. They place safety at a high priority and provide safety protocol guidelines and instruction to ensure participants know how to play safe while having fun.

Customers can plan private events to incorporate axe throwing into corporate team-building experiences, birthday and bachelor/ette parties, and date nights (in-house or in their mobile unit). They also support community service projects to raise money for organizations or individuals in need. In mid-May they hosted a fundraiser to reduce the financial burden incurred by Police Officer Tyler Franks who was shot while on duty with the Prairie Grove Police Department. They are available for special parties for Father’s Day, and they also offer special pricing for ladies’ nights and date nights.

Ozark Axe House can also take the competition to special events throughout Northwest Arkansas and have two mobile axe throwing trailers that can be rented and transported to other locations. The trailers provide a fun way to liven up the private parties, charity events and corporate team-building activities.

Mavis Wine Co.
Mavis Wine Co. is a wine bar, bodega and bottle shop focusing on natural, organic, and biodynamic wines. They offer wines at all price points and quality levels and strive to introduce wine drinkers to lesser-known varieties and regions through weekly wine tastings and private events.

Co-owners, Meghan McDonald and Jeff Barnett, relocated from California for the opportunity to become entrepreneurs in the Natural State. Previously, they worked in the film and TV industry in Los Angeles for the past 20 years - Meghan as a costumer, Jeff worked in props.

Their newly renovated space at 718 N. 2^nd St. is next to Ozark Axe House. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, a retail area for bottled wine and a unique variety of packaged snacks. They also offer a menu of Venetian-style tapas, known as cicchetti (chee-ket-tee) that consists of snacks and small bites. While traveling in Italy, Meghan and Jeff were introduced to cicchetti, which is a Venetian tradition of gathering in small neighborhood bars (bacari) at the end of the workday to snack, drink and socialize. A new food truck has also been added to expand menu options.

The covered, heated outdoor patio easily attracts cyclists, runners and walkers on the adjacent Railyard Loop Bike Trail, and they have a growing number of people finding them as a result of special events like their weekly wine tastings and participating in the 2^nd Thursday Art on the Bricks Art Walk. They installed a gallery-hanging system to easily showcase the artwork of local artists. When asked if participation in the Art Walk was beneficial, Meghan replied “Yes, 60 percent of our customers last night were new to Mavis. We sold a fair number of bottles to people who were also buying individual glasses of wine and we definitely sold food.”

Mavis Wine Co. also hosts musicians from Arkansas Arts Academy on the 2^nd Thursday of May.

”The musicians were great. We’ll definitely be hiring more musicians in the future for paid gigs,” explained Meghan when asked if they will continue to host musicians. “I think a couple of people wandered in off the trail because of the music,” she said. “We tend to get more foot traffic because of the trail than off of 2nd and the music probably helps.”

Moving to Rogers was not a spur of the moment decision for the couple. Meghan had family move to Northwest Arkansas over the past 15 years, and when her mom moved here six or seven years ago, they began spending Christmas in the Ozarks. They first discovered Downtown Rogers and the brick streets, historical architecture and unique shops when her sister scheduled a family photo with a local photographer. “Initially the public art and cool architecture drew us in,” explained Meghan. “We returned over the year and over time noticed the difference and the growth in the downtown commercial district with each visit.”

The new entrepreneurs are motivated to provide great products and service and the community is responding favorably. “The Downtown Rogers community is just electric, and the possibilities are intriguing, Rogers has been so welcoming,” responded Meagan. When asked why she thought the wine tastings and art walk pop-up exhibits were well-received by her customers, Meghan said she believes the people who live here like adventure and new experiences, plus the friendly demeanor of our community makes it easy for people to mix and mingle.

During the wine tastings, the bakery case is filled on Wednesday nights. Cold appetizers, small plates, and Venetian tapas are all available and the hosts make recommendations as to which foods go with the various wines. Jeff is a licensed sommelier, a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, and in addition to sharing highlights pertaining to each sample, he also makes more detailed technical sheets available for those who want to do a deep dive into the wines.

In addition to the public wine tastings offered each Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., they also offer a monthly ladies night event, and partner with their neighbors at Ozark Axe House for holidays and special events. Individuals, social groups and companies who want to take advantage of a wine experience may also reach out to schedule private group wine and food tastings.  When asked what the future holds, the owners responded that they hope to offer a wine club, extended hours, live music on the patio, pop-up boutiques by local makers and art exhibitions and participation in the 2^nd Thursday Art on the Bricks Art Walk each month.

Meghan said she recommends other businesses consider offering ticketed experiences.

“Rogers really is on the precipice of making a significant mark on Northwest Arkansas as an arts and entertainment destination. People really want to go out and get engaged, so I encourage other local business owners to create events that attract people, whether they are free or associated with a ticket price.”