Inside Ferndale’s New Board Game Bar and Ax-Throwing Venue

The former Local Kitchen & Bar building in Ferndale officially makes the transition next week into a more casual board game bar and ax-throwing venue. The Corner and Detroit Axe are poised for a grand opening on December 11 at 344 West Nine Mile Rd.

Local’s partners Brian Siegel and Geoff Kretchmer are responsible with the revamp, which combines several entertainment venues into a single space. Birmingham-based architect Ron Rea of Ron & Roman was also tapped develop the look of The Corner.

Customers can expect to find several distinct spaces folded into The Corner’s layout. The bar made a point to preserve the floor-to-ceiling fireplace from Local by incorporating it into a “family room”-style lounge area that’s filled out with couches, chairs, and four-tops with seats for 50 people. Additionally the bar houses several party rooms for groups and a 3,000-square-foot space called the Game Room that’s stocked with more than 1,000 games. Patrons can also belly up at the 27-seat bar.

On the second level, visitors can find the much touted 12-lane ax-throwing venue as well as a few old-school arcade games.

Courtesy of The Corner

Chefs Jeremy Kalmus (Forest Grill, Local Kitchen & Bar,) and Travis Waynick (Chef's Table XII, Rochester Tap Room) were brought in to consult on the menu alongside general manager Ric Jewel, Siegel, and Kretchmer. Customers can expect a variety of dishes on the list such as shareable skillet cornbread with New Mexico-style green chile, smoked-bricked chicken, and french dip sandwiches. Food will be available to people at both The Corner and Detroit Axe.

From the bar, look out for a wide selection of Michigan beers and ciders as well as cocktails and daily punch. Booze consumption will, for obvious reasons, be strictly policed on the Detroit Axe level with a one drink-per-hour limit.

Photographers Michelle and Chris Gerard took a tour of the new entertainment complex ahead of its official debut. Get a sneak peek at the menu and updated restaurant space in the gallery below.

Michelle and Chris Gerard

Michelle and Chris Gerard

Michelle and Chris Gerard

The Corner is located at 344 West Nine Mile Rd in Ferndale; the bar will open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday; 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday; and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, closed Tuesday; expanded lunch and brunch service are also in the works; reserve by calling 248-291-5650. Website.

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