Two Social seeks to be a one-of-a-kind entertainment destination and bar, which is just the type of business the Fire Block developers have said they want to attract to the district to transform it into a thriving live-work-play environment.
“They seem to be building an ecosystem that is perfect for what a lot of our players are looking for,” Omlor said.
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Calderone and Omlor say construction on the 5,000-square-foot space will begin just as soon as the lease is finalized, which is expected to happen shortly.
Their goal is to have a soft opening in late August, early September for members of Gem City Social Sports, which they created in 2016. The group runs sports leagues and social events that have had more than 2,000 people play and participate.
Calderone and Omlor plan to sign a five-year lease.
Windsor Companies, the owner of the building and many others in the Fire Blocks District, will take care of the build out of the ground-level space. The district is centered around the 100 block of East Third Street.
Calderone estimates that about 1,500 square feet will dedicated to axe throwing and around 700 square feet will be for bocce ball. They expect to offer indoor corn hole and giant Jenga.
Axe-throwing will be pay-to-play, with online booking. There will be six lanes, with up to six people per lane. Two Social also will charge for bocce ball.
Other games will be free, like giant pong, which uses trash cans and volleyballs instead of plastic cups and ping pong balls.
They plan to have a full bar with draft beer and hard alcohol.
Omlor said they will not serve food, but they have a space out back where they hope food trucks will park.
The business will have family-style seating, with a living room set and couches, and they aim to create a comfortable setting.
Omlor said they want a modern, industrial feel but with “pops” of bright colors.
“There will be very bright, over-the-top colors, to mask the kind of woody and metal design,” he said. “There will be bright, 90’s toy colors.”
The vast majority of Gem City Social Sports players live downtown, and Two Social will be convenient place to hang out, get to know each other and play games, he said. Many players are transplants, work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, recently graduated college and are looking to meet new people.
It’s hard to make friends in a new city or fresh out of college, but it’s a lot easier when there’s games involved and people team up and work together in a relaxed setting, Omlor said.
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