I actually think it's a great location but clearly I'm in the minority here.
bcschamp365 said:
HUGE WIN for Bryan Midtown as they leverage some private investment and try to bring development into a much needed area of the city.
However, this is NOT a great location for a entertainment venue. A lack of traffic (Hwy 6 or Wellborn Rd) are the only 2 logical choices). This business will depend on spenders from South College Station and travelers too and it is NOT easy to get to.
Big Shots has ONE location that is currently OPEN. This is NOT a track record of success. It is also not a record of development experience in understanding how to build entertainment venues. A Big Shots Golf is not a golf course and will depend on a different skill set to build and operate.
Big Shots Golf has been around for years trying to get started and haven't been able to get off the ground after announcements in Albuquerque and other cities. In January 2019, golf course company ClubCorp bought the majority stake and began selling franchises. A local investor bought the rights to Bryan College Station and looked at a number of locations before deciding on the location in Bryan. The temporary rent relief provided by the city of Bryan must have looked pretty appetizing. The problem is that beginning in year 5 they will be paying a 6% royalty to the city of Bryan on top of a 8% royalty to Big Shots Franchiser Group.
There are several Big Shot's Golf locations in development now. Let's wish these folks success, they are going to need it.
Dunno, but I'm glad they're coming. Bryan is very pro-business.turfman80 said:
Now the Bryan city council steps in with a 1.4 million dollar loan to help speed up the construction of Big Shots. C'mon man!
If this is such a great potential enterprise, why is the city having to step in with even more assistance?
turfman80 said:
To me there is a line between being pro-business and being overly friendly with tax payers money to support a private business that seems to have trouble securing adequate financing from private lending institutions. IMO, the city has already bent over backwards to accommodate Big Shots, but now more assistance is needed?
Agreed. Great location, too.bcstx06 said:
I'm all for it. If that's what it take to get big business to choose Bryan then so be it. If you look at the newly updated concept Bigshots has, it's really nice and on par with TopGolf (but on a scaled down).
If you think this thing will be a failure, you are underestimating this market. Think about, there really isn't much to do here. This will be a big draw to the area as long as they keep the building updated.
I'm pretty certain ClubCorp knows what it's doing in the golf space. I for one can't wait for a place like this here. Been wanting a Top Golf forever and this will certainly do.TAMUallen said:
Looks like a cheap miniature top golf knockoff. I don't see this going well even in BCS. The company only has one existing location it's not like they know what they're doing.
On the contrary. In my opinion, it's a great location for a golf-based entertainment center. That was the municipal golf course for decades. And before that it was the only country club and golf course for either city. Finally, the Superpark is being built there. It's basically a fantastic location for this.bcschamp365 said:
This is a terrible retail location for an entertainment center. Look at other similar businesses across metro areas and you will find them located on highly visible main thoroughfares.
Tell that to the tens of thousands of college students living along Wellborn Road.bcschamp365 said:
This is a terrible retail location for an entertainment center.
You've clearly never been to a Top Golf.studioone said:
and just because there's 10,000 students around, what % of them golf? Maybe 100?
LOL. You clearly know nothing about ClubCorp. They have hundreds of city clubs that focus only on fine dining all across the nation. They're basically the premiere hospitality company in the entire country. Robert Dedmond was the richest man in all of golf for a reason before he died.bcschamp365 said:
It's such a great spot that the City of Bryan has to loan them the money to get them to open the location.
Think about it. Big Shots started in 2016 and they literally have ONE location open. They have announced opening in many cities and have rarely delivered. See Peoria, IL Wichita KS Bossier City LA Orlando FL Albuquerque, NM
They were largely viewed as a failed franchise concept by the industry. Club Corp's acquisition in early 2019 gave them a life line but almost 2 years later, they still haven't opened a second location. Fort Worth and Springfield are under construction. Keep in mind that Club Corp is a golf course operator which is a far cry from entertainment/restaurant/food.
I really hope I am wrong about this, but I would wager this never sees the light of day. It's a flyer at best.
The Texan did very well near that corner for years. And it was the most expensive place in town back in the day.oldag00 said:
As others have stated, the target market for Top Golf and Big Shots includes golfers but is by no means limited to them. My wife and kids really enjoy Top Golf, but I can't drag them with me to the real course more than once per year.
I do have concerns about this location in the Bryan superpark. It seems other similar venues I've seen or visited were within or very near broader entertainment and dining "districts".
which double secret qualifies your opinion on this thingstudioone said:
nope... not really into sports of any kind..