Put the pedal to the floor on your summer of fun at Foundry Social
By Patricia Nugent
Four words: Let the games begin.
Make the Foundry Social, MAD Brewing Company and High Voltage Karting your summer starter kit.
Just steps from Medina Square, the gaming, arcade and dining destination, which is housed in a historic 1880s foundry, is an excellent example of ingenious adaptive reuse that breathes new life into a neighborhood.
The level of gaming elevates the Foundry experience, from classic, old-school video games to the ever-popular duckpin bowling, billiards, bocce, cornhole, ping-pong and arcade games. And those who wish to simply hang and enjoy the eclectic dining scene and live music can do so too.
Housed within The Foundry, MAD Brewery (stands for Make A Difference) crafts a host of award-winning beers on the premises, which rotate seasonally.
Lapping it Up
With the outdoor track, High Voltage Karting has nearly doubled its length and the ride time of its adjoining indoor track, going from an average of 20 seconds of chills and thrills to 44 seconds.
“Since we opened in 2015, building an outdoor track has been our goal,” says Marketing Manager Tim Obert. “Now racers are raving out their open-air experience, with a few hair-pin turns and straightaways to determine fastest lap times and races.”
The challenging half-mile track is perfect for youth and adults, groups and corporate team-building events. High-performance carts reach speeds of up to 35 mph, taking recreational racing to the next level.
He notes they offer racing leagues and also cater to professional racecar drivers looking to keep their skills honed. Drivers must be age 14 and over and at least 58 inches tall to ride. Junior racers are ages 6-13 and at least 48 inches tall.
“We’re one of a handful of indoor/outdoor tracks of this scope east of the Mississippi,” Tim says.
It’s Time to Party!
Though it’s fairly massive, checking in at more than 30,000 square feet, the Foundry Social features many venues within-a-venue, perfect for grad parties, showers, bachelor/bachelorette parties, fundraisers and private gatherings for families and friends. There are several special event rooms available, as well as a spacious outdoor patio and covered pavilion.
“People can rent out a room that fits their size, or rent MAD Brewery or High Voltage Karting, or even the entire facility, which one company is doing this weekend,” says Tim.
State-of-the-art audio-visual equipment allows companies and charities to throw fundraisers, product launches and meetings.
Whatever the affair, you can bet the food will take center stage. He reports the summer menu is loaded with crowd favorites such as Super Smash Burger, with two burgers, bacon jam and American cheese, and a variety of eclectic handhelds.
Focus on Sustainability
Moving over to becoming mostly sustainable solar power has been a passion project of the owners. Their commitment to sustainability went into overdrive when the old delivery vehicle reached retirement age. Opting for an electric solution, they purchased a Tesla Cybertruck, making their entire operation from facility to transportation eco-friendly.
“We’ve installed panels across the rear of the facility and in front of the karting track and have all the necessary equipment to harness and contain it,” says Tim. “We’re even working with Ohio Edison to be able to send any overflow power we generate back to the community grid, which is pretty cool.”
One Sweet Ride
Those who favor Foundry Social are adventure lovers by nature. So, it only makes sense that one of the owners would trick out his uber-modern Tesla Cybertruck with eye-catching Foundry graphics and cause a stir taking it on spins all over town, from the Cleveland Marathon to Guardians games, the Berea Rib Cook-Off, Memorial Day parades and even local schools.
“We had so many people posting pictures with it online, we decided to award dining certificates to ones that attract the most likes,” says Tim.
100 Days of Summer
The owners at Foundry Social have kicked off a slew of weekly events, a lineup sure to please all ages and stages. For details and a complete schedule running through Labor Day, check out the Facebook page. “Looking at the calendar, we decided summer in Northeast Ohio is just way too short,” says Tim. “So, we’re
jam-packing it with reasons to enjoy it.”
• Trivia Tuesday: Calling all know-it-alls, this battle of the brainiacs will feature fun themes like Taylor Swift and Marvel.
• Cruise-In Wednesday: Pop in to see some amazing classic and vintage automobiles while enjoying a DJ.
• Vines & Vibes Thursday: Wouldn’t a little vino be a keen-o way to kick off the weekend early? The vibes are supplied by live music at this ticketed wine tasting.
• Friday: High Voltage Karting opens at noon to offer indoor/outdoor karting to people and businesses who may want to knock off a little early and hit the track.
• Saturday: Foundry Social is extending its hours to 1 a.m.
Foundry Social, MAD Brewing Company and High Voltage Karting are located at 333 Foundry Street, steps from the Square in downtown Medina. Call 330-333-9000 or visit TheFoundrySocial.com for details.