NORTH AUGUSTA, SC (AP) — Loud music, spray-painted walls and broken bottles are what you’ll find in a rage room.
Jekyll and Hyde Destructive Therapy, a new rage room experience in North Augusta is open to the public
David Jones and Darel Phillips, U.S. Army veterans and co-owners of the business, discovered that this type of business could be a place to start conversations about post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health.
“We think we can help prevent or at least prevent someone from thinking that there is no other way, and that there are other people who are going through the same things,” said Jones. “We just want to start this conversation; and hopefully it will lead someone on a serious note to seek help they wouldn’t normally get. That’s one of the main reasons we wanted to do this.
The rage room business model is relatively new and started gaining popularity in Japan in the late 2000s. ‘ABC.
While participating, each person goes through a safety briefing, signs a waiver, and wears protective gear including helmets, gloves, and plastic face masks.
For 15-minute increments, participants can smash cars, bottles, and old electronics using medieval and traditional tools.
“We think it’s becoming more and more popular in many areas; so it’s really about playing our place within this market in a good neighborhood, and becoming the Dave & Buster of rage rooms and houses of destruction,” Jones said.
Named after the famous English characters Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, the duo wanted to show the juxtaposition and taboo of throwing away delicate items for the home.
“If I had had something like this where I could walk in just for the sake of doing a little taboo, which is throwing glassware at certain targets, going out and smashing a car, going out and smashing some electronic devices, I know No. 1 that’s going to release dopamine in my head,” Phillips said. how fast this cup fills, and we all need this cup emptied.
“Any red-blooded American has been in their kitchen and been upset and maybe wanted to throw a plate, throw glassware, something. Well here you don’t even have to clean it so now it’s all good, and it’s in a safe environment,” Phillips said.
Phillips hopes 15 minutes of destructive therapy and a safe environment will give people a safe place to vent their pent up feelings and pave the way for healing.
The duo hope to hold veteran and retiree peer group meetings at their company.
“There is so much anger, COVID has proven that… A lot of people are upset with the VA system when it comes to mental health and everything. We shout, but no one listens; and I think it’s great that No. 1 is bringing the community together to be able to vent some of that anger, the stress relief,” Phillips explained. “No. 2, also have a safe and friendly environment for fun. I look at adults like we’re just kids with money, and we’ve learned as adults to suppress our feelings; and we have also learned to fake it until we finally make it I want a company that will still be fun but professional.
To learn more about booking an appointment at Jekyll and Hyde Destructive Therapy, visit their website at jekyllhydetherapy.com.
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