Iron Mountain needs more things to do, in Dave Fraser’s opinion, and he seeks to have a place that provides that in a casual setting.

“I think there is a need for people to have an outlet where they do not feel like they are being judged,” Fraser said. “Some places are pretty ritzy — we like for a regular Joe to be able to walk in here and not feel uncomfortable.”

A native of Sheboygan, Wis., where he owned and operated a machine shop, Fraser moved to Iron Mountain when a friend said Michigan was “the most beautiful place ever.”

The Maxx Entertainment Center is an offshoot of Fraser’s other business, a gardening supply store called Grow Maxx that largely supplied medical and recreational marijuana users with equipment to grow at home. With marijuana now legal in Michigan and several dispensaries in the area, much of that side of the business has dried up. Grow Maxx now occupies only a small corner of the center.

THE MAXX ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, 2202 Aragon St. in Iron Mountain, has capacity for 300 people and up to 600 if doors are opened. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

The roots of the Maxx Entertainment Center started in Grow Maxx’s original location on Stephenson Avenue, after people asked Fraser to carry remote-control vehicles and parts, which led to a racetrack being set up in the basement.

Fraser would then move the RC business into the old Ball & Christy furniture store, also adding arcade games and hosting small concerts at the location. But Fraser ran into problems with the city because he lacked sufficient parking at the site and was forced to shut down.

Fraser shifted to 2202 Aragon St. in Iron Mountain a year-and-a-half ago and began operating as the Maxx Entertainment Center.

The new location was completely repainted inside and out, the concrete floors polished and the parking lot paved. The building will soon add new bathrooms.

A stage was built and a 30,000-watt sound system installed. The building has capacity for 300 people and up to 600 with the doors opened. The outside grounds are rated for 7,000 people; Fraser someday hopes to build an amphitheater for outdoor events.

His wife, Kim, is chief financial officer of The Maxx Entertainment and his 7-year-old daughter, Maridee, likes to help out on karaoke nights. Fraser said that he has five employees that work regularly and he has many others that are called in for special events.

The Maxx Entertainment Center recently acquired its liquor license that also allows for carryout. A bar and restaurant featuring American food and weekly themes, with delivery available, are in the works. The renovations will allow for more capacity and enable Fraser to book bigger acts.

The Maxx Entertainment Center offers an eclectic variety of events every week and Fraser said he lets the public help him decide what to bring in.

“Basically, some random person I know tags Maxx Entertainment Center on an event that they like and before you know it I am talking to their agent about how much it is to bring them here,” Fraser said.

From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Maxx Entertainment Center hosts an open jam that is popular with area musicians and the public alike. All genres of music are welcome — any given night can feature rock, blues, country, hip hop and even a ukulele player.

One of the busiest nights at Maxx Entertainment Center is Thursdays for cornhole, hosted by Southern U.P. Cornhole, Fraser said. Up to 30 people come out for league play and up to six games happen at once from 6 to 9 p.m. All skill levels are welcome, as mixed doubles games are done pairing beginners with a skilled player so everyone has a good chance at winning, he said.

Wednesdays and Fridays bring back what got The Maxx Entertainment Center started — RC racing. The races are popular and draw people from as far away as Ironwood and Green Bay, Wis. since a whole family will pay a maximum of $35 to race. Once again, all skill levels are welcome, rentals are available and it is free to race for the first time. Racing takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. RC cars and trucks are sold and serviced onsite as well.

Fraser also sells RC planes and drones and even has a simulator so potential customers can get a feel for flying before actually buying.

On the first Saturday of the month — Sundays during the warm months — The Maxx Entertainment Center hosts a flea market with several vendors selling a variety of crafts.

The Maxx Entertainment Center can also be rented for birthday parties and other events. Those renting can choose between cornhole, karaoke or RC parties; bounce houses are available as well.

Fraser is working with local churches to bring in a night of worship featuring live music and a big screen display to show lyrics so the audience can sing along.

For Easter, The Maxx Entertainment Center puts on an egg hunt that last year had more than 500 participants. Last Halloween, the Kingsford High School Drama Club set up a haunted house.

Throughout the year numerous local, regional and national events will be coming to The Maxx Entertainment Center. This month, the center had UPW Pro Wrestling and the Wise Cracks Comedy Series, featuring comedians from the Fox Valley. This Saturday will feature the Jordan Blanchard, Dan Lepien and Kylar Kuzio country music tour. The Hollywood Knockouts hot oil wrestling will be Feb. 21.

The biggest show of last year — the Overtime and Crucifix Scars ‘n’ Stripes tour — will return to The Maxx Entertainment Center for Easter Sunday on March 31

The Micro Wrestling Federation, as seen on the Discovery Channel show “Big Little Brawlers,” will appear April 17.

Tickets for most events can be purchased in advance by calling 906-828-2211.

The Maxx Entertainment Center is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week for RC sales and service and track rental and on the evenings previously listed.