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By Susan Elise Campbell
Following a two–year search for space in Saratoga Springs, owner Troy Miller has begun his latest expansion of The Bunker, an indoor golf simulator, restaurant, upscale pub and event center at Congress Park Center, 307 Broadway.
Miller said golf has been the number one sport during the pandemic because outdoor gatherings were allowed. He and minority partner Robert McKutcheon opened the Clifton Park location only last year, saying, “it’s a scary thing to push forward into Saratoga, but I am glad we did.”
In the prior 12 months other locations were opened in New Hartford, Utica, North Greenbush, and Mohawk Harbor in Schenectady.
The newest location will occupy two floors and Miller said they will build stairs between the floors for a total of 11,000 square feet, making it the largest location.
“Saratoga is probably the most well-known gem in the Capital District, and we are happy to have some level of control over the entrance to it,” he said.
Another feature at The Bunker on Broadway is that the town is allowing installation of sliding doors on 90 percent of the frontage, said Miller, so it can bring the outdoors in.
“During the summer we will be able to open up all the doors and give a real open-air feel to the restaurant,” he said.
Miller was already familiar with the space formerly occupied by VENT Studios. His construction company did the build-out for VENT, but that location didn’t become of interest to him until the second floor became available, he said.
The Bunker is a destination for “eat-ertainment” where people can come to sit at the bar and enjoy good food even if they don’t golf, he said. There will be both a pub and full restaurant plus an event space.
“We have not finalized the menu with our executive chef, but at this location we plan to have more upscale pub food than the other locations,” he said. “That may include specialty wraps and poke salads and some other diverse choices in addition to wings and burgers.”
For golf simulation, Miller said The Bunker purchases equipment made by TRACKMAN, which is top of the line and makes his business more exclusive. “That is the brand used by all the professional golfers. When you watch TV and see the ball tracking, that’s the simulator they use.”
But The Bunker is “so much more than golf. You don’t have to golf at all to get an awesome experience,” he said. He hopes to open 307 Broadway in December.
“We are excited to put our best location forward and make it an amazing place,” he said.
Learn more and take a virtual tour at www.getinthebunker.golf.