With Sandusky maxed out on liquor licenses, Noble Axes receives special permit

SANDUSKY — They didn't need to hop a plane and travel to Denmark for a liquor license.But Noble Axes, a new downtown Sandusky ax-throwing establishment boasting a Norse gods theme, did need to look beyond local borders so it could begin serving adult beverages.During a recent public meeting, city commissioners approved a special licensing arrangement in which Noble Axes obtained a permit from a Columbus-area business to serve alcohol. Today the business doesn't serve liquor but lets customers bring in their own beverages.As of today, there are no more available liquor licenses in Sandusky city limits that businesses can apply for. State documents show about 110 licenses in use today throughout Sandusky.But Ohio law does allow for transfers coming from one political subdivision to another. This specific case involving Noble Axes qualified, with Columbus losing one and Sandusky gaining it.The process to obtain a liquor license in this fashion is generally quite expensive. It's not known how much the actual permit cost. Officials couldn't provide the figure.Matt Lasko, the city's chief development officer, explained this unorthodox approach to acquiring this specific liquor license:The situation: "It is a special circumstance because we are already at our state quota. All of our entertainment licenses are in use or reserved. But (the city is) permitting this for economic development purposes and other benefits. This is not an entertainment license but simply an additional license being permitted to exist in Sandusky above our state quota."The permit from Columbus: A license "could have come from anywhere. The owners were able to purchase it from the last owners and secure approval by our city commission to allow it to be transferred to Sandusky."The importance: "Although it is critical to ensure towns like Sandusky do not become oversaturated with restaurant and bar venues, it is evident demand still exists for additional bar, restaurant and entertainment venues. Further, Noble Axes helps activate a formerly vacant space that underwent a major rehabilitation with a truly unique aesthetic and experience for locals and tourists to enjoy."What is Noble Axes?Noble Axes debuted this past April as a marquee attraction within The Marketplace at Cooke, downtown Sandusky's new indoor mall. The owners, Rick and Meghan Hogrefe, invested about $400,000 into this portion of the building.Similar to bowling, people can visit Noble Axes for open play, leagues or tournaments. The eight throwing lanes comply with National Axe Throwing Federation standards but can change. For instance, beginners or children can take a step or two in toward a target. Anyone 12 or older can visit Noble Axes."This is just another thing to do that's family-friendly and group-friendly," said Ryan Whaley, who serves as a partner in the operation."It won't be strenuous. You don't need to take a running leap to throw the ax. It will also give you a chance to come and check out the rest of the building to see all the cool stuff happening down here."Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.Chuck Stearns, an employee of Noble Axes, throws an ax on Wednesday, June 26, 2019.