Fore! Golf simulator business planned for South Shore Plaza

Fred Hanson, The Patriot Ledger
·2 min read

BRAINTREE – A lounge featuring golf simulators is planned for South Shore Plaza.

The planning board last week unanimously approved a special permit and a site plan for Golf Lounge 18, which is planned for the Sears wing of the mall where a Sprint cellphone store and a Newbury Comics shop once operated.

The lounge would feature 13 golf simulators that can re-create more than 250 golf courses worldwide. There would also be equipment and apparel for sale, a putting green and lessons by golf pros. Food and beverages would be available, said Carl Johnson, a lawyer representing the company.

A look inside Golf Lounge 18 in The Westchester.
A look inside Golf Lounge 18 in The Westchester.

The two-floor Braintree location would be the seventh and largest in the chain, with others at the Northshore Mall in Peabody and in New York and Connecticut.

Johnson said patrons spend an average of about an hour and a half at the facility on weekdays and two to three hours on weekends.

"It offers all things to keep people there for a while," he said.

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The business would be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday, which is longer than mall hours.

Planning board member Darryl Mikami asked what kind of security would be on-site when the mall is closed.

Johnson said mall security is there around the clock, but the lounge owners would make arrangements for after-hours security.

The business would employ about 25 people, Johnson said, and attract customers who are not regular mall patrons.

"It is vital to the South Shore Plaza to offer more recreational and amusement opportunities," Johnson said.

The business still needs to obtain liquor and restaurant licenses from the town's license board.

Ajit Padda, the managing partner and chief executive officer of the company, said they hope to open by the end of the year,

Reach Fred Hanson at fhanson@patriotledger.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: South Shore Plaza business would offer golf play around the world