The Shift in New York City’s Retail Landscape: Not Just Your Average Storefronts
New York City is no stranger to change, but the current transformation in its retail scene is turning heads—and not just because it’s the latest trend. Instead of the typical cheese shops and butchers that New Yorkers might dream about populating those vacant storefronts, we are seeing an entirely different kind of tenant step into the limelight: indoor golf simulators. Yes, you read that right!
Golfing in the City: A New Take on Recreation
Over the past year, folks in Brooklyn have had a front-row seat to an indoor golfing phenomenon. Within just a quick six or seven-minute walk from my apartment, it’s now possible to swing away at not one, but two indoor golf simulators. These aren’t your average driving ranges; no, these places are high-tech havens where enthusiasts can club away at a 10-foot screen, all while tracking an array of metrics about their swings—from reach to speed. Talk about fun with numbers!
Venture a bit further, and you’ll land at Golfzon Social, a unique spot blending virtual golf with bites like Tater Tots laced with bacon and five-grain pilaf. And where is this modern golfing oasis located? Right next to a posh condo designed by none other than Jeanne Gang, just a stone’s throw away from a social-services agency. If that juxtaposition doesn’t make you chuckle, I don’t know what will!
Pandemic Influence: People Want Golf!
Since the pandemic, interest in golf has notably surged. According to the National Golf Foundation, a staggering 3.4 million people took up golf for the first time in 2023 alone. In New York City, the situation mirrored this trend, leaving behind ample vacant spaces in office and retail due to the pandemic’s impact. What do people want in these empty spots? A specialty food shop? A fish market? A butcher? Nope—what they got instead were lively golf spaces.
Community Desires vs. Reality
A local community group, the Brooklyn Heights Association, even conducted a survey about what the neighbors really wanted to fill those gaping vacancies. The results? Specialty food shops topped the wish list. But, as much as people yearned for local cheeses and fresh fish, the reality is that rents were simply too high for those dream shops to make a go of it.
Instead, one prominent empty space is now being filled by a private-equity-backed veterinary chain, while another once vibrant candy store has turned into a med spa—talk about an unexpected twist!
The Booming Business of Cosmetic Treatments
A few blocks away lies Peachy, which markets itself as your go-to hub for “preventative Botox.” After receiving rounds of venture capital funding, Peachy has blitzed into the market with eight locations and counting in the city. This flashy trend is just one example of how locals are leaning into a new kind of indulgence in these post-pandemic times.
The Future of Indoor Golf—Get Ready!
As for golf, it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Leading the charge in this indoor golfing revolution is Five Iron Golf, which has six locations across New York and plans to expand into Brooklyn next. They even have a new location opening in Rockefeller Center early next year! I recently strolled into their Herald Square outpost, and let me tell you, it was packed! Every tee was taken by enthusiastic players, mostly men aged 25 to 60, enjoying classic hits blasting from the speakers.
One player even shared that he visits several times a week—a much more manageable schedule than an entire Saturday lost to 18 holes outside. Sounds like a win-win!
Wrapping Up: A New NYC Experience
While the retail landscape in New York City may be evolving in surprising directions, it’s all part of the city’s vibrant tapestry. With indoor golf simulators taking center stage, who knows what’s next? So, the next time you walk past a vacant storefront, you might just want to keep an open mind. You never know when a new golf haven—complete with bacon Tater Tots—might sprout up where you least expect it!
