By Chad Neal
As most have noticed, the Subway sandwich shop left Ellicottville and the store sits empty right now, but not for long. A couple of young entrepreneurs from the area have started re-branding the spot and are excited to open to the public as soon as they can. Austin Baker and Jarrett Pond have partnered to make a new place to enjoy sports and shoot a round of golf at any course installed on the computer simulator they will have available at the old sub shop. They will also have sporting events showing on several TVs on the walls of the new Green Room Sports Lounge. Seeing an opportunity to join the Ellicottville businesses in the village – Baker and Pond are getting the new place ready to give a new vibe to the plaza fronted by Katy’s and neighboring with Dom’s Butcher Block. The Villager caught up with Baker and asked him some questions about his new endeavor:
The Villager(V): When did you come up with the idea for the Green Room Sports Lounge and what gave you the idea for it?
Austin Baker (AB): The idea for the Green Room Sports Lounge was first created when one of my partners Jarrett Pond and I were working at a local golf course a few years ago and we realized how short the golf season really is in WNY due to the weather. We were astonished that really none of the courses near us had a golf simulator for the members during the off-season and instantly saw an opportunity to bring a new experience to our area. Ultimately that conversation led to months and months of planning and strategizing as to what the “Green Room” would become.
V: What will the Green Room Sports Lounge involve?
AB: The Green Room Sports Lounge will include an Indoor Golf Simulator for private bookings in the back along with a bar and lounge out front for guests to enjoy drinks, relax and watch all the sports action on one of our 12 flatscreen TVs and our 2×2 video wall that spans to over 100 inches.
V: Will there be a full bar with liquor, beer and wine?
AB: The lounge will be equipped with a full bar serving liquor, beer, wine and numerous specialty cocktails.
V: What kind of food will you be offering?
AB: For food in house, we will be offering a small menu comprising of items such as nachos, chips, popcorn, peanuts, charcuterie boards and more. That being said, we are also planning on having different food items such as pizza and wings catered on game days.
V: When do you plan on opening?
AB: We are currently aiming for an early October grand opening and are also excited to share our vision with the community. The Green Room Sports Lounge strives to bring a fresh and exciting experience to the town of Ellicottville. Our goal is to bring a vibrant venue that combines high-quality entertainment with exceptional service, offering a unique gathering place for sports enthusiasts and locals alike.
Ellicottville is undergoing changes by the day. Something new is always popping up and there’s always something coming up around the corner to keep this a veritable Bubble of Awe-someness. The newest golf simulator in Ellicottville with a chill place to watch whatever sporting event one’s heart or sportsbook desires; The Green Room Sports Lounge looks to be a great new spot to play a round and watch the game. For more information or if you have any questions, give Austin a call or text at 716-801-3208.