Let the games begin in Lanesboro, Minn., as The Raging Root Adventure Arcade and Axe Throwing has opened its doors with a wide variety of games and activities to be enjoyed by people of all ages.
And the games are only the beginning of the story. Owner Kris Paxton, who purchased the joined buildings at 110 Coffee St. E. and 108 ½ Coffee St. E. in March 2025, has the makings of a fun, funky, artistic and certainly memorable business.
Paxton, who is a registered nurse that performs dialysis nursing in the Twin Cities, describes herself as a “Northwoods Girl” who although had been living in Tucson, Ariz., was in Minnesota often to visit her dad in Ely. After his passing, she and a friend went to a women’s flyfishing school in Ellsworth, Wis., and “it was so much fun,” she stated.
When she returned to Tucson, Paxton realized she was homesick. Without telling anybody, she started making plans to move somewhere in this area. She knew she wanted to live somewhere that she could continue to learn flyfishing and was also looking for an “artsy-fartsy” type of town. When she asked her flyfishing instructor for recommendations he pulled out a map and said, “You just need to live in Lanesboro.”
“I had not heard of Lanesboro, even living in the cities,” noted Paxton. She did research on Lanesboro and planned a visit.
“I felt the magic of Lanesboro while I was here,” expressed Paxton. “And I thought, he’s right, this is where I should be.
“I saw these buildings and thought, ‘These are really cool, very unique and important to this town,’” she recalled.
She has made some major improvements to the buildings, such as installing a commercial kitchen, but it is not yet what Paxton has envisioned. “I have grand visions for it all.” She gives huge credit to her contractor Charlie Henry of Preston, Minn. “I would never have been able to pull this off without him,” she said.
And then there is also The Sugar Shack located inside Raging Root Adventure Arcade! So much to delve into about this business! Let’s begin with the games.
Axe-throwing, hatchet throwing, shovel throwing and more! Pool, darts, ski ball, ping-pong, foosball, pinball machines and a multi-game machine including Pac-Man are among the many activities already waiting for you at The Raging Root with additional games coming soon. Sign up for an axe-throwing league to make your winter a little more fun!
The type of food that will be offered will include all-time favorites but also some new and different things. “I have run a restaurant before in Asheville, N.C.,” noted Paxton, so she has the experience for food preparation and service.
“My vision is to have some funky, cool, artsy things like street tacos with walleye and coconut shrimp,” stated Paxton. The Raging Root will also offer what Paxton calls Grab and Go or Stay and Play food options. There are a wide variety of very interesting drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic for customers to choose from.
The Sugar Shack is a fun-filled room brimming with old-school favorites. You can grab a little basket and buy candy by the pound.
Novelty ice cream is available at The Raging Root, such as popsicles, ice cream sandwiches and the like. (Although no scoop ice cream as Paxton does not want to compete with other businesses in town.)
Whether for birthday parties, date nights, or whatever it may be, The Raging Root is a very cool place to spend time with friends and family, and Paxton is excited to have it become part of the community. She is taking bookings for next Summer and suggests making your reservations early.
Jacquelyn Heveron-Heinen, Mary Primus, Brenda Leukam and Georgiann Primus, four friends from Stearns County, Minn., who were on a girls day out recently, visited The Raging Root and, “It was awesome,” stated Jacquelyn.
Kelsey Mehus and her fiancé Tanner Losey of Chatfield, Minn. spent a recent date night at The Raging Root. “Raging Root Adventure Arcade was exactly what we were looking for as a date night! We enjoyed throwing axes, a couple of adult beverages and chatting with the owner, Kris. She was a lot of fun, and we are so excited to go back!” stated Mehus.
The Raging Root Adventure Arcade and Axe Throwing will be moving to winter hours, which are Friday 3-9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and by appointment. Phone 507-475-8266 or visit ragingroot.com for more information.
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