Brewery, entertainment attraction coming to former Greenville textile mill

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Two new tenants will be joining the Judson Mill District in Greenville — a historic textile mill-turned mixed-use community.

Stumpy’s Hatchet House, a national axe-throwing and entertainment spot, and Magnetic South Brewery, one of the Upstate’s highest-growth breweries, will be opening their newest locations in the Judson Mill District, according to a Hughes Agency news release.

Magnetic South Brewery expects to open in the Judson Mill District in early March. The Anderson-based brewery founded by Paul Cain, Tanner Coombs, and Adam “Cuzzin” Willier, focuses on creating a high-energy, family-friendly brewery and taproom space that embodies the true spirit of Southern hospitality, according to the news release.

“At its core, we believe in creating an experience where people can connect and enjoy good beer and food,” said Willier. “We are excited to debut what Magnetic South has to offer to Greenville and look forward to being part of this vibrant community.”

The 10,000-square-foot space at Judson Mill will feature a variety of craft beverages including light and dark lagers, IPAs, session beers, and sours, as well as a complete food menu and entertainment amenities such as arcade games, pool tables, Pinball, and Skee-Ball. Like its Anderson location, Magnetic South’s Greenville location will utilize a 10-BBL brewing system, which produces approximately 300 gallons per batch, the release said.

The new location has an industrial feel utilizing much of the original architecture and materials of the historic mill while adding unique modern touches, such as an exposed brewing area.

“Magnetic South Brewery champions the idea of bringing people together, which is something we have valued throughout our entire Judson community since the beginning,” said Ken Reiter, president of Belmont Sayre and co-developer of the Judson Mill District. “They have an exciting future ahead of them, and we are happy to be party of it.”

Magnetic South Brewery opened its first location in September 2021 in downtown Anderson, after overcoming several delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The group is slated to open its third location that will house Magnetic South’s pilot system at the Dockside Development in Clemson this summer, according to the release.

Mark and Trish Oliphant founded the Stumpy’s Hatchet House idea in 2015 with Stuart and Kelly Josberger during an evening barbecue while chopping wood for a bonfire, according to a news release. What started as an impromptu game of axe throwing at a makeshift bullseye led to them opening their first Stumpy’s location in Eatontown, N.J., in 2016, the release said.

With more than 30 locations nationwide, Stumpy’s Hatchet House offers an alternative form of recreational entertainment with activities such as axe throwing and rustic-themed games, according to the release.

“We are excited to announce the opening of Stumpy’s Hatchet House in this historic location,” said Trish Oliphant, co-founder of Stumpy’s Hatchet House. “We’ve fallen in love with this energetic city and the Judson Mill complex, and we are excited to be part of this amazing culture.”

The more than 7,000-square-foot space features 22 axe-throwing targets, axe throwing-related competitions and challenges, a fully stocked bar with wine and beer selections, and a variety of hors d’oeuvres. In addition to axe-throwing, guests can enjoy a variety of games, such as Tumbling Timbers, Stump Puck, Ring Toss, and Giant Checkers, the release said.

Stumpy’s will also allow guests to bring their own food or order delivery from local restaurants.

“Stumpy’s Hatchet House is a fantastic addition to the Judson Mill campus,” said Reiter. “The entertainment experience they provide supports our vision to make the Judson Mill District a place where people can live, work, and play, and we look forward to having them part of our community.”

The Judson Mill District location will host a grand opening in early March that will include giveaways and promotions.

Once the largest textile mill in Greenville County and an integral part of Greenville’s Mill Crescent wrapping the city’s west side, Judson Mill District is now home to office, restaurant, brewery, retail, entertainment and residential spaces, according to the release.

In 2017, Taft Family Ventures, a real estate investment and development firm based in Greenville, N.C., joined with Belmont Sayre, a privately held real estate investment and development company based in Chapel Hill, to transform the historic 800,000-square-foot textile mill that closed in 2015.