Local business lets customers smash stress one breakable at a time

While business ownership comes with its share of perks, it often comes with more than its share of stresses. But, so does writing about businesses.

Before ABD publisher, Neil Gordon offered me the job of business reporter, I was well acquainted with stress. For many years, I juggled various full-time jobs in higher education and freelance writing gigs that consumed much of my spare time.

Writing is now my full-time profession, and, while I still love storytelling, I often feel stressed out. And I’ve discovered I’m not alone. According to a 2019 article from CNBC, the CareerCast employment website ranked news reporter as No. 7 on its list of most stressful jobs. Other professions on the list included airline pilots and firefighters.

On Friday, I visited Dahman’s Revenge Rage Room to interview its owners, Kelsi and Rhina Dammann, and take a few pictures. At the time, I had no intention of trying their services, but I’m glad they gave me the opportunity.

Like most people, I occasionally lose my temper, but I wouldn’t say I struggle with rage. I wasn’t sure what to expect when Kelsi put me in a room with various breakable objects, such as dishes and appliances. I got the chance to smash these objects with a golf club, crowbar, and baseball bat, among other weapons.

After a few minutes, as I focused my mind on breaking a set of dishes and a VHS copy of “Forrest Gump,” I forgot all about my stress. That’s the point, according to the Dammanns. The rage room offers its customers an unusual way to handle stress, anger, and other emotions.

Located off Kissingbower Road at 2326 Walden Drive, Suite B in Augusta, Dahman’s Revenge opened in late March. It’s been a popular venue for birthday parties, team-building exercises, and other gatherings. A teenage boy even brought a group of friends because he was frustrated about going back to school.

“You don’t have to clean up the mess,” said Kelsi, who just retired from the military after 20 years.

The business has four rage rooms of various sizes and a paint room that allows customers to create works of art on a canvas or simply splash paint around. The minimum age to use the paint room is 3, while customers must be at least 13 to use a rage room.

She said their customers have ranged in age from 3 to 80 and include a wide range of demographics.

“We’ve had a group of church ladies; they painted,” Kelsi said.

Dahman’s Revenge offers various packages, including the Hissy Fit and BYOB, which stands for Bring Your Own Breakables. Rhina said one customer thought that meant he could bring alcohol, but that’s not the case.

They have also added a package that allows customers to come four times a month for $100.

“It’s cheaper than therapy,” Kelsi said.

In the rage room, they protect their customers’ safety by requiring face shields and gloves. The Dammanns also recycle all their broken items. She said customers often assume she hates cleaning up these items, but she actually loves it.

“It makes me happy every time I see it,” Kelsi said. “I see the great time people have.”

Rhina said many of their breakables come from the Salvation Army, the side of the road, and other businesses.

“We’ve been doing a lot of bartering and trading with businesses,” she said.

In exchange for donating items, they allow businesses to hold team-building exercises at Dahman’s Revenge.

I plan to return to the business the next time stress overwhelms me, which will definitely happen very soon.

The business is open Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, visit dahmansrevenge.wixsite.com/augusta or call 762-305-9425.