Photo by Will Cornelius
Two axe-throwing patrons debate a contested bulls-eye at B-Rad’s Arcade and Family Fun Center.

By Adelaide Kuehn
The Surveyor

Behind the small, garage-style building and tall fences of 154 Mountain Ave. is a scene that passersby might not expect: a flagstone patio, Adirondack chairs, cornhole lanes, arrays of couches and giant games of connect four and Jenga all connect to a food truck area. And this is just the outside part of the recently opened B-Rad’s Arcade and Family Fun Center.

The new Berthoud business is equipped with over 30 arcade games, five axe-throwing lanes, a self-serve beer bar and an outdoor beer garden. The center also hopes to add pinball, dart and cornhole leagues later in the year. It opened a month ago on July 18.

It’s been successful since opening, especially on the weekends, Jonah Beeken, one of the owners, said. This success has led to some busyness for him.

“Right now, I’m doing everything,” Beeken said, “I’m even working on the machines, I’m checking people in, I’m setting up people on throwing axes.”

But he’ll have a break soon because he hired some new employees. He said he’s looking forward to relaxing a little more when he’s at work.

“At the point where I’m at right now, I enjoy nothing more than sitting in one of those Adirondack chairs on that patio and enjoying a beer,” Beeken said.

Work to launch B-rads as a business has been ongoing for several months. Before opening, the building had to be renovated from its previous state as an auto shop, and Beeken was the frontman for most of that construction. Beginning in late February of 2023, he worked on renovations for 12-14 hours every day to make the building what it is now.

Before the building was even purchased, much less renovated, Beeken had a clear idea for the business: the idea of fulfilling the need for a fun space in Berthoud.

“This town needs entertainment,” Beeken said, “It needs a hangout for the kids and needs entertainment for families.” Specifically, he said, the idea was to fulfill this need for all ages by providing a plethora of different activities.

As a result, the self-serve beer wall isn’t turned on until 4 p.m., so the space is kid-friendly most of its hours. Beeken said keeping the business family-oriented was important to him.

“We want parents to know it’s a safe space for kids—drop your kids off, let them ride their bikes down—they’ll be overseen by competent adults,” Beeken said.

Of course, after 4 p.m., those wanting to drink can join in on the fun. The self-pour beer wall has 20 different taps to try once it’s turned on. And Beeken said the beer garden is his favorite part of the property, the best area for kids and grown-ups alike.

“The building is just spacious. It calls for more. It would have been a crying shame if we had just filled the building with arcade games and left the back door locked,” Beeken said.

B-Rad’s is open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. weekdays and until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. For more information visit the website at berthoudarcadeandaxe.com/.