Forging their own path at The Drunken Smithy

Eitri Jones and Greg Ramsey spent years working for others before forging their own path. Jones was a teacher, while Ramsey served as the artistic director of the Renaissance Faire. The two, who met while working at Milton Hershey School as house parents, quickly became friends, and eventually launched a business together.

“We both got burnt out and wanted to do something fun — and the rest is history,” said Jones of their venture, The Drunken Smithy, which now includes forging workshops, axe throwing, and a mead hall.

Signing a Three-Year Lease

When the partners learned of a vacancy in the Lebanon Valley Mall, they knew they had found the right space and were eager to sign a three-year lease.

“We picked the mall for several reasons: they had a large enough available space for the business, rent was reasonable and it’s near the St. James Community Theatre and my family is active in that organization,” said Jones.

The business operated at a smaller space in Palmyra before moving to the mall, where it has been operating for a year and a few months now, with a staff contingent of 25. According to Eitri, business has been brisk at the location, so much so that the partners are considering signing yet another lease when the time is up.

Forging ahead

The forge area spans approximately 2,500 square feet and provides all the tools necessary for customers to create their own metal projects under the guidance of skilled blacksmiths. Tools like hammers, tongs, anvils, power hammers and hydraulic presses are all available for customers to bring their projects to completion.

A group recently gathered in the forge area to make their own projects from pieces of iron called billets, with Jones and Ramsey at the helm to assist. The projects were as unique as the individuals. Some decided to make a heart keepsake from their piece of iron, while others chose more practical projects like grappling hooks, for example.

Customers can choose from a variety of projects like knife and sword making, jewelry making, and more. Workshop durations vary based on the project, with knife-making sessions typically lasting about three and a half hours, and sword-making sessions around seven.

The business also has an area called “artisan alley”, where workshops are held for projects like jewelry and copper flowers and wind spinners, for instance.

Customers can also engage in a bit of competition with ax throwing. Conveniently located outside the forge area, it is quite handy for those whose projects include axes.

Lebanon resident Hyrum Fischer took advantage of a homeschool event at the business and eventually ended up making two axes, two large knives and a kitchen knife. He also held his daughter’s 10^th birthday party there where the students took turns perfecting their ax-throwing skills.

Fischer’s son also worked at the business until he left for college.

“For me, the staff makes it fun and enjoys getting into the spirit of it. I also like the relaxed atmosphere where no one hovers over you,” Fischer, adding that all kids seemed to enjoy hitting a hot piece of metal during the homeschool event.

Fischer and his son also made flowers for their significant others for Valentine’s Day recently. “They hold different copper flower classes each month,” Fischer said.

Mead Hall opens in January

After working in the forge and/or ax-throwing, customers can relax and cool off at the Mead Hall, located alongside the ax-throwing area. The Mead Hall is a relatively new concept for the Drunken Smithy, having opened in January this year.

According to Ramsey, it offers a unique experience combining traditional mead with live entertainment and a rustic ambiance reminiscent of historic gathering halls. Patrons can enjoy locally crafted meads, ciders and other beverages while listening to live music, enjoying drinks and socializing.

Fun Festivals

The pair are also skilled at bringing the public to the mall with seasonal festivals. A “Forged Fantasy Faerie Festival” took place on April 26-27 and featured live music, variety acts and costumed actors. A Viking Mead Fest is slated for the end of July and will feature street performers, scavenger hunts, venders and more.

“It’s the RenFest writ small,” Ramsey said. Other seasonal festivals include SpookVember and a Yule Bazaar in mid-December. “The festivals help us pay for entertainers and advertisements for the festival,” said Ramsey.

The partners said that they’re pleased with the buzz they’ve generated in the new space and are looking forward to what the future brings.

“It’s a bit of an adventure and the challenges and rewards you get from this are wholly different than when you’re working a salaried job. It’s much more challenging and I think Eitri and I are both very comfortable helping people have a great time,” Ramsey said.

Stephanie Kalina-Metzger is a freelance writer