Today we’d like to introduce you to Mieka Schambach.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m Mieka Schambach – I have a business degree from King University and spent over a decade in general surgery administration, which taught me how to run operations, lead teams, and take care of people. My husband Devon Tilley brought the hobby side. He’s deep in the competitive foam dart world – high-FPS play – and his knowledge of how to make games exciting for both casual players and serious enthusiasts is what shaped our arena.
My husband and I wanted more than just a business. We wanted a place in North Knox where families could unplug, play, and make memories together. Our two kids, Caidyn and Samara, are the heartbeat of it – they inspire that family-friendly energy every day.
Legally we are Blasters and Burgers – that’s our full vision. Our DBA is B&B Indoor Foam Dart Arena. We did a phased opening and opened Phase 1 – the arena only – on June 13, 2025 at 6709 Maynardville Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918. No food yet, that’s Phase 2 coming in the future. Right now we are 100% focused on foam dart battles.
How we got to where we are today is community. From day one we decided B&B had to be more than an entertainment venue. We host school fundraisers, youth sports parties, sponsor local teams, and partner with nonprofits like Lift East TN and the Rocky Top Veterans Foundation. We started with Open Play at $16 and Birthday Parties starting at $375 where we provide everything, and word spread fast – birthdays and word-of-mouth built us.
Today we’re North Knox’s indoor, climate-controlled, referee-led foam dart arena – safe, active, laugh-till-you-hurt fun for kids and adults. Seeing families, teams, and groups come in and leave with a story they retell for years reminds us every day why we started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
1. The name and phased opening confusion.
Our legal name is Blasters and Burgers, but our DBA is B&B Indoor Foam Dart Arena. We opened Phase 1 on June 13, 2025 – arena only, no food yet. Food is Phase 2 in the future. So from day one we’ve had to over-explain: “Yes, it’s in the name, no we don’t do burgers yet, yes you’re in the right place, it’s foam darts.” For a new family business in North Knox, clarity is everything and we had to learn that fast.
2. Getting found and figuring out what actually works.
Since we opened we have tested 26 marketing channels – Meta Ads at TikTok Ads, direct mailers, radio, KCS coupon book, Groupon, all the press hits – Living East TN, WBIR, Knoxville Moms, KnoxTNToday. Still, we have people that don’t even know we exist.
We’re still in it, but the struggle taught us our competitive advantage: We’re not just selling dart battles. We’re selling North Knox families a place to unplug and make memories – and we just need to keep focus on that.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about B&B Indoor Foam Dart Arena?
We are B&B Indoor Foam Dart Arena – DBA for our legal name Blasters and Burgers. We’re a family-owned, indoor foam dart battle arena at 6709 Maynardville Pike in North Knox – Knoxville, TN 37918.
We opened Phase 1 on June 13, 2025 – arena only. Burgers / food is Phase 2 in the future, which is where our legal name comes from. Right now, we go by B&B and we are 100% foam darts.
What we do:
Open Play: $16 per participant – fast-paced, referee-led games. We provide all the equipment, you just show up.
Birthday Parties: Starting at $375 – private party rooms, all blasters and darts, refs, setup and cleanup. This is our core – 26.9% of our customers find us because they went to a birthday party here.
Field Trips, Youth Sports Teams, Group Events & Fundraisers – we do Youth Sports Party Packages, school groups, church groups, corporate team building.
Competitive & Themed Events: We host Blitzfire – our premier competitive foam dart event held 4x a year.
Everything is fully indoor, climate-controlled, and weather-proof. Rain, heat, cold – we’re playing.
What we specialize in / what we’re known for:
We specialize in foam dart battles done right. My husband Devon brought his knowledge of high-FPS (feet per second) competitive play, so our arena is built to be exciting for serious hobbyists but still completely safe and accessible for a 7-year-old’s first battle at regular play. Every game is referee-led – it’s not just an open gym where you’re on your own.
In Knoxville we’ve become known as the go-to destination for birthdays that kids actually talk about for weeks. We have a 4.9 on Groupon and we’ve had over 4,100 participants in just a few months because it’s active, it’s safe, and it’s genuinely laugh-till-you-hurt fun.
What sets us apart:
We’re North Knox’s arena. We’re not a trampoline park with darts on the side. We are only foam darts. That focus matters.
Family-owned, not a franchise. I’m Mieka, my husband is Devon, and our kids Caidyn and Samara are part of the heartbeat of the business. You’re not talking to a manager reading a script – you’re talking to us.
Community-rooted. We host school fundraisers, sponsor youth sports, and partner with local nonprofits like Lift East TN and the Rocky Top Veterans Foundation. Our goal has always been to create a space where everyone can have fun, bond, and make memories, not just rent arena time.
What we’re most proud of brand-wise:
That we stuck to the family adventure vision. B&B is more than an entertainment venue – it’s a reflection of our dream and commitment to the community. When we see a North Knox family from 37918, or 37931, or 37849 come in for open play and then book a birthday and then tell three friends – that’s the brand. 49% of our business is birthdays + word of mouth. You can’t buy that. You have to earn it.
If readers take one thing away: If you’re looking for something active, indoor, and different that gets kids and adults off screens and moving together – we’ve got you. All gear provided, private rooms, refs included. North Knox, family-owned, and built for memories.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson we’ve learned is to stay family focused, family oriented, and community focused.
We opened B&B Indoor Foam Dart Arena in North Knox on June 13, 2025 as a family – me, my husband Devon, and our two kids Caidyn and Samara. It’s easy to get distracted chasing ads and trends.
But what actually works is simple: Take care of families. Create a safe, indoor place where families can unplug and play together. Remember their names. Host their birthdays starting at $375, their youth sports parties, their school fundraisers.
We partner with local groups like Lift East TN and Rocky Top Veterans Foundation because we’re part of North Knox – 6709 Maynardville Pike is our neighborhood too.
When we stay family focused and community focused, the rest takes care of itself.
Pricing:
- Walk in play – $16/person
- Birthdays – Starting at $375
- Arena Takeovers – $1000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blastersandburgers.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blastersandburgers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlastersandBurgers
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BBIndoorFoamDartArena
