Smashing Success: Westwood Welcomes “Smash House” for Creative Stress Relief

photos courtesy of Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Westwood NJ, In an era where “yearning undefined” and cultural tension seem to be at an all-time high, Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo and the Borough Council recently celebrated the opening of a unique venue designed to handle it all: Smash House.

Located at 720 Broadway (the former home of Iron Buddha), Smash House is the brainchild of local resident and business owner Maryann Bassett. After two years of planning, Bassett has transformed a vision of “creative destruction” into a reality for Bergen County residents looking to release some steam.

The Transition from Tea to Tension Relief

Interestingly, Maryann Bassett is also the proprietress of the beloved Harmony Tea Room. While moving from a tranquil tea house to an “anger management” venue might seem like a leap, Mayor Arroyo notes the therapeutic common thread.

“The tea room uses herbal remedies to calm and balance the body and soul. At Smash House, you get your Zen on by taking a bat to things,” said Mayor Arroyo. “It’s a necessary relief valve for the mental health consequences of our current times.”

What’s Inside Smash House?

The space, built out by local contractor Dan Olivier, is an impressive adaptive reuse of the Broadway location. It features:

• Two Smash Rooms: Designed for pounding, breaking, and kinetically releasing pent-up energy.

• Two Splatter Rooms: A creative space for glow-in-the-dark graffiti painting and neon messaging.

• A Party Room: Equipped with tables and chairs for groups, birthdays, or unique team-building events.

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The Mayoral “Safety Test”

During a recent tour, Council President Lauren Letizia, Council members Beth Dell, Cheryl Hodges, Erin Collins, and even young Sage Collins took turns testing the equipment.

Not one to be left out, Mayor Arroyo donned the mandatory safety gear to experience the endorphin rush firsthand.

“I swung the bat and, like a bull in a china shop, broke some dinner plates, cups, and saucers. I must admit feeling unusually calm after the endorphins kicked in!”

Why It Works: The Science of the Smash

The “Rage Room” trend has exploded globally as a form of “destruction therapy.” By providing a controlled, safe environment to break objects, participants experience a physical release of cortisol (the stress hormone) and a boost in endorphins. Whether it’s a metaphor for our current cultural state or just the simple joy of smashing stuff, the result is the same: Breaking things to help fix you.

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Plan Your Visit

• Location: 720 Broadway, Westwood, NJ 07675

• Perfect For: Stress relief, date nights, birthdays, and “splatter” painting parties.

• Safety First: All participants are provided with protective gear to ensure a fun, injury-free experience.

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