A new business, Ole Mule Axes n’ Fun, is occupying the formerly closed Mule Trading Post building east of Rolla, Missouri.
The business offers a dozen axe-throwing games, a full-size NASCAR simulator, a restaurant, a bar, farm-fresh food and plenty of Route 66 souvenirs, reported the Phelps County Focus.
“We are trying to tie into the history of Route 66,” says Nicole Hancock Caldwell, who co-owns Ole Mule Axes n’ Fun with her husband, Bobby. “I thought solely focusing on axe throwing would eventually fizzle out, so we started looking into adding options like the NASCAR simulator, New Chance games, darts and other games so we have a variety of anything and everything to get people out of their homes and doing stuff again.”
Nicole says renovations in the building started in August last year. More work will soon be adding even more features.
“We are looking at one, possibly two golf simulators, depending on how good the first one goes over,” Nicole says. “I also have another room in the back, in the far corner, that we are discussing putting an escape room in. We might, and we might not, we’ll see.”
Ole Mule Axes n’ Fun has kept the old business’ iconic mule sign and waving hillbilly sign.
Frank Ebling originally opened the Mule Trading Post in Pacific, Missouri, in 1946, and later moved it to Rolla in 1957. The store closed in 2021.
(Image of the Mule Trading Post in Rolla, Missouri, by Hawthorn M. via Flickr)