A lot of people take up playing golf when they retire. When former Captain Brett Gaeger retired from the City of Huntington Fire Department, he decided to take a swing at running a new indoor golf business.
Greenside Indoor Golf opened in November in a newly renovated building in downtown Huntington. The golf simulator business houses three bays of professional golf simulators, with room for expansion, and a private room for parties.
Gaeger and his wife Terri, a Fairland Elementary school teacher, both work in the business and offer hands-on help with the simulators.
Gaeger approached the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for help with his business plan. Amber Wilson, the SBDC business coach located in the Robert C. Byrd Institute Huntington Center, assisted with services such as research, business plan preparation, formatting projections and licensing requirements. Although the SBDC does not give grants or loans, business coaches can help align clients with capital access opportunities. Wilson and Gaeger worked with lenders on a Small Business Administration loan package.
“We are excited to be a part of the business community in Huntington,” said Gaeger. “We invite golfers to stop by, get a demonstration of the simulators and enjoy a round of golf.”
The business is open from 8 a.m. for early golfers and closes at 9 p.m., with some extended hours for pre-paid games and parties. Greenside Indoor Golf, 340 Washington Avenue, offers ample off -street parking and has several fast food options including homemade sandwiches, drinks and snacks. For information on hours, fees or directions to the store, contact Brett or Terri Gaeger at 1-681-204-5000.
Business coaches like Wilson operate from SBDC offices distributed across West Virginia. They collaborate with other business coaches in the statewide network to help entrepreneurs start, sustain and expand their businesses. For more information on the center’s services, visit wvsbdc.org.
The West Virginia Small Business Development Center is part of the West Virginia Development Office and creates economic impact through offering entrepreneurs and small businesses cost-effective business coaching and technical assistance. The West Virginia center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The West Virginia Small Business Development Center is an Accredited Member of America’s Small Business Development Center network.