Triple the thrills: Foundry Social, MAD Brewing Company and High Voltage Karting are all under one roof for an unforgettable experience
By Patricia Nugent
One word comes to mind when you walk through the 130,000 square feet that encompasses Foundry Social, MAD Brewing Company and High Voltage Karting: Epic.
The gaming, arcade and dining destination is an excellent example of reshaping Medina’s past and future—ingenious adaptive reuse that breathes new life into a historic facility.
What once was a foundry along the train tracks, just steps from the Square, has been reimagined into a state-of-the-art entertainment complex.
Gaming ranges from classic old-school pursuits like Nintendo, Super Mario and Mortal Combat to the ever-popular duckpin bowling, billiards, bocce, cornhole, ping-pong and arcade games. Those who wish to simply hang and enjoy the eclectic dining scene and live music can do so, too. Interspersed between the games are comfy leather couches and bar-top tables perfect to relax on and gather around.
I enjoyed an afternoon touring the facility with founders Greg Cordray, Steve Madden and Brian Fontanella.
“Our mission from the beginning has been to make a difference in people’s lives. In fact, MAD Brewing stands for ‘make a difference,’” says Greg. “Our lofty concept is to appeal to those seeking high-adrenaline pursuits to people who just want to kick back, chill out and have fun. Our culture resonates with the younger and older demographics here in Medina. This is the place where camaraderie and competition go hand in hand, where relationships are both made and strengthened.”
Beyond friends hanging out and the best date nights ever, the gentlemen say they host a lot of bachelor and bachelorette parties and birthday parties.
“I can guarantee whatever gathering you hold here will be the one your friends talk about for years to come,” says Greg.
A Nod to the Past
The Foundry has a special place in Medina history that’s preserved with remarkable authenticity. Dating back to 1871, the space served many functions, most recently as a plant to manufacture air conditioning units.
Alongside the modern gaming, people revel in the historic charm of original wood beams and 46-foot girdled ceilings.
“We love it when people come in and say their grandfather used to work here,” says Brian.
Start Your Engines
High Voltage Karting includes an indoor-outdoor, half-mile track perfect for the thrill of racing, for youth and adults.
“It’s both a physical and mental escape,” says Brian, who notes the high-performance carts go up to 35 mph. “When you’re finished, it feels like you’ve gone through a strenuous workout.”
He notes they offer racing leagues and also cater to professional race-car 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.
“Safety is our first priority and junior and adult drivers never race at the same time,” he adds.
Elevated Comfort Food
The dishes served at The Foundry are just as authentic as the environs.
“Some of our most popular dishes are the Super Smash Burger, with two burgers, bacon jam and American cheese; and the Triple Casting Burger, which is topped with caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, mushrooms and garlic aioli,” says Brian. “Our number one appetizer is the Sheetload of Nachos, with taco-dusted chicken and a load of toppings.”
With more than 48 beer tap handles, The Foundry offers all the favorite brews folks love to complement the elevated fare.
“Our wildly inventive mixologists have come up with a range of popular craft cocktails, including the PBJ Old Fashioned, with peanut butter whiskey, Chambord and bitters,” he adds. “We also offer a nice wine selection and ‘Clawtails’ cocktails made from White Claw flavors.”
Happy hours have become a huge hit, with special pricing Tuesday through Thursday on MAD Brewing draft beers, domestic beers and house cocktails.
Housed within The Foundry, MAD crafts a host of beers on premises, which rotate seasonally.
“From ales to IPAs, stouts to wheat beers and pumpkin beers, we offer a wide variety of brews to suit local tastes,” says Steve. “We invested in the best equipment on the market to produce top-tier brews.”
Special Events
The Foundry Social has become the perfect place for team building, corporate events and trade shows, as well as private gatherings for families and friends.
State-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and well-appointed private rooms allow companies to leave all the details to the party planners at The Foundry.
There are several special event rooms for gatherings, as well as a spacious outdoor patio and covered pavilion.
Packages for weddings for up to 100 guests and micro-weddings for around 25 guests, called Forged at the Foundry, are available. They include everything from photography and flowers to the cake and booking an officiant.
Committed to Community
The family of companies is deeply committed to the community, forming vital partnerships with local schools and a juvenile detention center. The Foundry has also partnered with Pastor Arthur Ruffin from the Second Baptist Church to engage with youth through entrepreneurial programs and collaborative initiatives with law enforcement and service entities. Its dedication extends to animal welfare non-profits. The team has co-organized events with Pastor Ruffin to honor first responders. The Foundry looks forward to increasing their impact to bring about positive change and uplift the community.
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.