Today we’d like to introduce you to Devin and Kristen Parks.
Our story began in 2010 when we got married. Devin was in the U.S. Army and served as an infantryman for right over five years with one deployment to Afghanistan. After getting out of the military in 2013, we moved back to Fort Worth to be closer to family. Devin went through the fire academy and back to school. We realized God did not have it in the cards to move forward with a career as a firefighter. Devin was able to start a career with the federal government and Kristen was working as a caseworker with a national hospice company. We have always had a heart for our community, serving veterans, and starting our own business. After experiencing the new craze of axe throwing, we were hooked and knew we wanted to start a business that could reach out to the community and work in a fun high-energy environment. We franchised with Stumpy’s Hatchet House, the original hatchet house in the United Stated, as we knew the standard that is upheld at Stumpy’s would surpass competition and provide local residents and businesses the best environment for axe throwing in Fort Worth. We are in the build-out process and scheduled to open summer of 2020.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t classify it as a smooth road, but as many business owners would likely describe there is always a struggle with funding, locating the perfect space, getting the right group around you that helps to encourage you to succeed and working with realistic timelines. We have had frustrations with the timeline for opening, but now with Covid-19 hitting we are thankful we are not yet open. We are hopeful we will be open when people are ready to get back out, ready to have an axe-cellent time in public with their friends again. Looking at it now, it was truly divine intervention with our timing.
Please tell us about Stumpy’s Hatchet House.
When was the last time you did something for the first time? Axe throwing is a fun event that most people have never tried. It is the perfect place for parties, fundraisers, corporate events, team buildings and a way to blow off steam. We will have 11 private pits and a large party room to accommodate any size party or corporate event. We are an 18 and older venue with a beer and wine bar. We are proud we will have a large local brewery selection. We offer a homey atmosphere (leather couches, cowhide chairs, dining room tables, and rugs littered through the venue) with throwing coaches there to make sure you stick it in a safe environment. We take safety axe-tremely seriously. Stumpy’s Hatchet House was the first hatchet house in the United States, and we are proud to bring that to Fort Worth.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I, Kristen enjoyed spending the summer with my grandparents. They were both entrepreneurs, owning multiple companies and flipping homes to resell or rent. I would spend the summers riding around in the van “helping” as a child with jobs, learning to how to balance the books, complete payroll and even lay tile. They both helped instill a good work ethic in me.
Contact Info:
- Address: 824 W. Daggett Ave
Fort Worth, TX 76104 - Website: stumpysfortworth.com
- Email: info@stumpysfortworth.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/stumpysfortworth
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/stumpysfortworth
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/stumpyft
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stumpy-s-hatchet-house-fort-worth
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