Today we’d like to introduce you to Blake Parker.
Hi Blake, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Stix & Stones Indoor Golf started as a conversation among family members who love golf. We kept coming back to the same idea: golfers in Winchester and the greater Shenandoah Valley needed a place to play and practice year-round, and there was little nearby that offered the experience we envisioned. What began as a family think tank grew into a plan for a business we would own, fund, and operate together.
We believe indoor golf can complement time on the course. It gives avid golfers a way to keep playing regardless of the weather, while making it easier for someone new to pick up a club and give the game a try. We also wanted Stix & Stones to be a place for people who don’t golf. Alongside our simulator bays, we’re opening two VR escape room arenas, plus a kitchen and bar, so friends and families can come together for more than one kind of experience.
Our goal has always been simple: bring good golf and good times to Winchester and the greater Shenandoah Valley all year long. After months of turning the idea into a real facility, we’re excited to welcome the community when we open this October.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely. Like any new business, we’ve faced challenges along the way. The biggest has been the timeline. We’re building the interior from the ground up, and bringing our vision to life has taken longer than we initially expected. Each stage has pushed our anticipated opening date a little further back.
We’re now working through the permitting process, which is an important step but one we can’t fully control. The delays have been frustrating, especially because we’re eager to welcome people in. Still, we believe it will all be worth it when we open our doors and the community can finally see what we’ve been building.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Stix & Stones Indoor Golf is a family owned, operated, and funded entertainment venue built around a simple idea: give Winchester and the greater Shenandoah Valley a place to enjoy good golf and good times year-round. We’re creating a space where experienced golfers can practice and play, beginners can feel comfortable picking up a club, and friends and families can have a great time together whether they golf or not.
Our facility will have six indoor golf simulator bays, including two exclusive bays, as well as two VR escape room arenas. Guests will also be able to enjoy food from our kitchen and drinks from our bar. Beyond individual visits, we’re building programs for memberships, parties, corporate events, and community gatherings. What sets us apart is the combination of golf, VR, food, and hospitality in one place. Someone can come in to work on their game, celebrate an occasion, or simply spend an evening with friends.
There’s a personal commitment behind the business. Our president, Paul, built his career in federal law enforcement and served in the military. He devoted those years to serving a mission; now he’s taken on a new one, with his family’s own investment behind it. Our vice president, Blake, brings a background in marketing and business development. He has put that experience into shaping how guests discover Stix & Stones, enjoy their visits, and are rewarded for spending time with us.
Brand-wise, we’re most proud that Stix & Stones reflects who we are as a family: people who love golf, value time spent together, and are willing to invest in bringing something new to our community. We want readers to know that this is more than a place to rent a simulator bay. We’re building a welcoming destination for golfers and non-golfers alike, and we can’t wait to share it with the Valley.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Opening Stix & Stones is the biggest financial risk our family has taken. We’ve put our own money, earned over years in our previous careers, into building the space from the ground up. The interior buildout is a major investment on its own, and the golf simulators, VR escape rooms, and technology needed to run them add considerably to that commitment. We made those decisions before opening our doors, knowing it will take time to earn the community’s trust and build a successful business.
We don’t think of risk as something to take lightly. We ask whether the investment serves a purpose we believe in and whether we’re prepared to do the work that follows. In this case, we believe Winchester and the greater Shenandoah Valley deserve another place where people can gather, try something new, and make memories together. Building that kind of place requires taking a chance.
Our hope is that Stix & Stones becomes one small piece of what makes this community a destination for good times. We can’t know exactly how the story will unfold, but we believe in what we’re building and are fully committed to seeing it through.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stix-stones.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stix.stones.va/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582813806597
