Closed Kmart on Garfield Road to house a virtual golf and billiards simulation venue

Jul 11, 2023

After its parent company shut down the old Kmart shopping center on Garfield Road in Clinton Township in 2018, developers seemed stumped by what to do with the big box building.

Five years later, there is new life coming from the structure as a new golf simulator, driving range, billiards facility, and bar are taking shape inside.

The Clinton Township Planning Commission will vote Thursday night on a special land use for the proposed Canteen Golf & Billiards that is now under construction at Garfield and Canal roads.

Owner Bert Copple of Clinton Township says Canteen Golf will become “metro Detroit’s premiere military-themed indoor virtual golf and augmented reality billiards venue.”

A decorated Iraqi War U.S. Army veteran, Copple said plans call for images of military units and their history along with a collage of the area’s military heroes to decorate the walls.

“We want to pay honor and homage to those who served out country and currently serve our country,” Copple said in a Facebook video. “That’s where the name Canteen comes from, a place where you can hang out after work with your friends and neighbors.”

Now undergoing a massive renovation, the building will include 12 TrackMan golf simulators and augmented reality billiards using IQ Billiards technology. That will allow the tables to alter between 32 games as well as teach people how to play billiards, Copple said.

The place will have a canteen-style buffet featuring hot dogs, pizza, and other snack items, refreshments, and beer and alcohol.

Expected to open in November, it’s zoned C-2, community business, according to planning documents.

The 91,000-square-foot facility is located in the Imperial Plaza shopping center, which is also home to Crunch Fitness, a Kroger, Greek Pantheon, Ping On Chinese, Momma B’s Pizza, Subway, Luxury Nails & Spa, and a handful of other stores.

Other items on the planning commission agenda include:

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