BUSINESS
Smash Rooms Offer Safe Space to Let off Some Steam by Michele D. Baker
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BREAK IT, LLC
also wiped down throughout hether you find the day, the manager said. yourself having to “After each customer deal with a painful (fi nishes), a team member breakup, a stressful cleans up the smash room,” job, a barrage of family hijinks, Wilson says. “It takes a while or anything in between, Break to really vacuum up all that iT has the means for helping broken glass.” you smash your frustrations. The business obtains Manager Jordan Wilson refers its smashables from loto the new addition to the Outcal and other nearby busilets of Mississippi as a therapeunesses. Smashed items go to tic way to spend some time. the dumpster out back, but Open since late January, Wilson is exploring recycling Break iT supplies items such options for the near future. as glass bottles, plates, vases, “Right now, we get a TVs and other electronics that Break iT can be found at the Outlets of Mississippi in Pearl. lot of our empty beer and customers can then brutally liquor bottles from Fannin destroy in the business’ “smash Lanes, Outback, Kingpin, rooms” using sledgehammers, and Sal & Mookie’s,” Wilson says. “We more relaxed. They were even smiling.” regular hammers, baseball bats, golf clubs Break iT, which is modeled after a buy the larger items, like TVs, vases, dishes or crowbars. “We have all kinds of people in here,” similar store in Missouri, provides custom- and toasters, from Goodwill.” Only two customers may use one Wilson says. “Our first large group was eight ers with protective equipment including women, and three of them had recently been full-length jumpsuits, gloves, helmets and of Break iT’s four smash rooms at a time. dumped. They paired up and used all four visors, which are all washed, steamed and Sessions typically last around 15 or 20 minrooms. They came out looking calmer and sanitized after each use. The facility itself is utes and range from $18 to $65, depend-
ART PARTY 2021
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ing on the number and sizes of smashables. Add-ons can be added to any of the five packages for additional costs so that visitors can customize the collection of items they smash during their sessions. Customers must be 18 years old or older to independently sign up for a smashing session. With the supervision of a parent or guardian, 16- and 17-year-olds may also use the smash rooms. In addition, Break iT offers other activities such as “Smash Aisles,” otherwise known as bottle baseball, the company’s take on the carnival game whereupon participants smash and knock down stacked bottles using baseballs. The smash lanes are available for customers of all ages, and safety equipment is provided. Visitors can also splatter canvases in Break iT’s UV paint explosion room; sift through a bucket of mine dirt for geodes, arrowheads, fossils and more; and hit the arcade to play skee-ball, crane games, air hockey, foosball and classic arcade games. To learn more about the business or to book a session, visit breakit601.com.
For More Information www.jsums.edu/margaretwalkercenter
A new way to party!
April 17, 2021
· Bid in our online auction featuring artwork from celebrated artists, Keith Urban tickets, Beau Rivage and Westin packages, Cathead tasting, and much more · Participate in our virtual wine pull with unique and rare wines · Enter our raffle for a chance to win a unique artwork from a renowned artist Your participation in ART PARTY supports not only exhibitions, educational programming, and outreach—but the cultural and economic well-being of our great city and state. For more information visit
MSMUSEUMART.ORG/ARTPARTY.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY APRIL 9 & 10 FACEBOOK @MARGARETWALKERCENTER
March 31 - April 27, 2021 • jfp.ms
For the safety of our patrons, MMA’s ART PARTY 2021 will take place virtually. Enjoy food and wine from Fine & Dandy with your friends and family as you watch our free video premiere on April 17. You can also:
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