MIDDLEBORO — Faris Ojjeh always dreamed of owning his own business. After a few attempts, he believes his newest venture will be the one that sticks.  

Ojjeh and his business partner and best friend Jacob Chartier opened Hatchet in Hand Axe Throwing Bar in Middleboro on Wednesday, July 17. 

From customer’s comments on opening day, they’re off to a good start.

“This is excellent. Honestly, it’s better than I thought it was going to be,” said Earl Geden, who came with his coworkers from Central Square Technologies, located just down the street. 

Now, the Center Street building where the former Benny’s discount retailer operated for decades is home to two new businesses. One half of the building is occupied by Spectator Eyewear, which opened its doors on July 3. Hatchet in Hand now occupies the other half.

“It’s always been my dream to own my own business and work for myself,” Ojjeh said. 

There are a number of business owners in his family who have been a source of inspiration for him. Most notably, his uncle, who passed away two years ago, Ojjeh said. He owned a house building company. 

“I wish he were here to see this happening. This is definitely something he’d believe would succeed,” he said, 

Hatchet in Hand is not Ojjeh’s first go-round as an entrepreneur. He previously owned a woodworking shop and a landscaping company. Neither of those, however, were what he wanted for himself, he said. 

“I like the idea of selling a service and an activity. Something that brings people in to have fun,” he said.  

He settled on the idea of opening Hatchet in Hand after he saw how much people were enjoying themselves at an axe-throwing bar he visited with his family in Pennsylvania, he said. 

Downtown Middleboro has a lot of bars, restaurants and shops, but nothing that “offers an activity,” he said. “I want to be that place.”

People are “looking for something physical to do” and this “makes the night more of an experience” than simply going out to a bar or restaurant does, he noted. 

That sentiment was corroborated by Geden’s coworker Rich Oakley, who was hungry for a business downtown that provides people with “a true activity.” 

 “I don’t think there’s anything like that around here,” he said. 

Ojjeh added that the bar will be a good compliment to the businesses that already exist downtown and provides residents with a late night activity when everything else has closed. 

Oakley said that sometimes he leaves work as late as 9 p.m. to find a deserted Center Street. “This is a nice reason to go do something after work,” Oakley said, 

The axe-throwing bar is open until 10 p.m. on weekdays and 12a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 

Although axe-throwing is the main attraction, Hatchet in Hand also has a tiki bar, arcade games and a foosball table. 

Hatchet in hand has been a labor of love for Ojjeh and Chartier both mentally — and physically. “Every single thing in there was built by Jake and me,” Ojjeh confirmed.

The bar, with its wooden interior, music and decor, which includes saddles and taxidermied animals, gives off a western vibe.  

Ojjeh and Chartier constructed the tiki bar, the tables, all the wooden structures— everything but the couches, he said. 

Working alongside his childhood friend, “has been such a good experience,” Ojjeh said. To get here has been “one helluva ride,” he added. 

Based on the support he’s already received from the Middleboro community, Ojjeh said, “I couldn’t have picked a better town and location.”

Hatchet in Hand prices are $25 for one hour of ax-throwing and $40 for two hours. During Saturday’s Sip & Stroll event, there will be a special deal of 15 throws for $10.