Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1389434
A xe in hand, Chris Sims faced off against his two sons on an early Wednesday evening in downtown Macon. But this isn't a crime story, and there was no murder. Sims and sons were at Maniaxe Throwing – home of "axe- trodinary" fun – where they tossed short-handled, fairly dull axes at bullseyes down one of many throwing lanes. Sims, co-owner of Macon's Interim HealthCare, said he and the boys were there for some friendly, family competition. It wasn't their first time. Blocks away, a half-dozen adventurers grabbed knobs and grips with toes and fingers to make headway up a 37-foot wall at Macon Rocks Climbing Gym. Not so many years ago, asking someone to go downtown might have drawn a blank stare and the questions, "Why? Is there anything to do?" That's not the case now. Public and private interest in revitalization have made it possible to answer, "Sure, let's go have a meal, shop boutiques, see a show, throw an axe and climb a wall." New quirky businesses have cropped to create fun, family-friendly spaces and boost the downtown experience and its economy. Josh Rogers is executive director of NewTown Macon, whose goal is to foster downtown economic growth and development. He sees the emergence of businesses like the Situation Room, Maniaxe and Macon Rocks creating a turning point. "The late '90s was when things got as bad as they ever got downtown," he said. "Lo s opening in the Dannenberg building in 2011 was a pivot point for new growth, and things started looking better in 2016. Now, I'm really excited to see these new types of businesses with opportunities for more things to do downtown. I believe they represent what's best about what's happening here: local people creating one-of-a-kind businesses that folks here and elsewhere notice. A couple of years from now, I think we'll see this as the moment tourism started to drive downtown to the next level." There are plenty of strange and delightful downtown attractions — like Reboot Retrocade & Bar, where old video games abound and Tip Toe on Cherry, where dance and fitness combine with pole dancing. But here are three of our favorite, quirky, family-friendly activities. 'I BELIEVE THEY REPRESENT WHAT'S BEST ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE: LOCAL PEOPLE CREATING ONE-OF-A- KIND BUSINESSES THAT FOLKS HERE AND ELSEWHERE NOTICE.' – JOSH ROGERS 46 maconmagazine.com | JUNE/JULY 2021