The Damage Zone, Detroit’s first and only rage room, has opened its doors in the Bethune community, offering customers a space to safely release stress and emotions through controlled destruction.
The facility, founded by Zienethe “Zina” Holifield, combines entertainment with stress relief and community impact, making it a unique addition to Detroit’s small business landscape.
The Damage Zone is the 177th business to open with support from Motor City Match, a program that provides grants and resources to entrepreneurs in Detroit. Holifield received an $85,000 grant from the program to renovate the space, update its heating and cooling systems, and purchase inventory.
Holifield, a social entrepreneur with a background in child and family therapy, corrections, and child abuse investigation, describes her business as “a responsible outlet for emotions.”
The rage room’s motto, “Be a responsible psycho,” reflects her mission to create a safe environment for people to manage their stress.
“Everyone has a little crazy in them,” Holifield said. “It’s how you manage the craziness that makes you a responsible psycho.”
The facility, located at 15785 James Couzens Freeway, caters to customers ages 13 and older and features a separate space for children ages 5-12, making it the first kid-friendly rage room in the Midwest. Adults can break recycled items sourced from local cleanout companies, while children use new inventory. Sessions last 30 minutes, longer than the typical rage room experience, and are followed by guided breathing exercises in a lounge area.
Holifield says she returned to Detroit in 2013 with a goal of giving back to the community.
“I came to Detroit to pour back into the community, and the Damage Zone is part of that mission,” she said. “We’re a responsible outlet for emotions, a place where everyone can safely manage their ‘crazy’ while having fun.”
The Damage Zone also offers happy-hour ax throwing on Thursdays and corporate discounts, creating additional opportunities for customers to unwind.
Deputy Mayor Melia Howard praised the new business for its innovative approach to stress relief.
“The Damage Zone represents exactly the kind of innovative small business Detroit needs,” Howard said. “When entrepreneurs like Zienethe create services that promote both stress relief and safety, it strengthens our entire community.”
The Motor City Match program, managed by the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), has provided $19.1 million in cash grants since its launch, supporting 85% minority-owned businesses, 70% women-owned businesses, and 67% businesses owned by Detroit residents.
Sean Gray, vice president of Small Business Services at DEGC, stressed the importance of the Damage Zone’s mission.
“We know how emotions like stress, anxiety, anger, and frustration can negatively impact quality of life, which is why having a safe, judgment-free zone to unleash your emotions is so vital for our city’s residents, young and old,” Gray said.
The Damage Zone currently employs four Detroit residents and plans to hire two more workers in the coming months.
The Damage Zone is located at 15785 James Couzens Fwy, Detroit. For more information, visit MotorCityMatch.com.
