Vet’s vision transforms former ACO Hardware space

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Canteen Golf and Billiards isn’t just a place to unwind. It’s a place to give back.

The new business, replacing the former ACO Hardware in a strip mall at 41601 Garfield Road, offers golf simulators and pool tables with a variety of games. While the fun center is available to everyone, it puts a special emphasis on veterans.

Canteen features a mural dedicated to those who served. Owner Bert Copple, a U.S. Army veteran, took 75 submissions from those who served to add to the mural. The pictures are arranged on a timeline, spanning the global war on terror.

“It tells the story of the war because there are whole generations that weren’t even alive in 2001,” Copple said. “So, we’re trying to get them to understand why we went to war, what happened, and it tells the good, the bad and the ugly.”

While the wall showcases those who sacrifice, it doesn’t pull punches. It includes things like the torture and abuse at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

The “Leatherneck Lounge” at the Canteen caters to those veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. On the first Monday of each month, the business hosts a PTSD support group for veterans. A licensed counselor comes in to assist with the sessions.

“Anyone who just wants to come in to talk and share their story,” said Copple about the event. “The most important thing you can do when you have PTSD is to talk about it. That’s the first step in finding healing.”

Copple said he’s currently in talks with two groups, Helping Paws for Veterans, in Farwell, and Veteran Service Dogs, in Howell, that train emotional support animals for veterans with PTSD. He’s also working to find veterans organizations to donate to. Copple hopes to get these donations from the business proceeds set up later this year.

He said Canteen’s name comes from the place soldiers go after a mission.

“That’s the watering hole,” he said. “You go have a drink, play pool, play darts, whatever the case is. We set this up to feel like that atmosphere.”

The Canteen utilizes Trackman golf simulator projection screens and is the second business in North America to use the pool table simulators they have, according to Copple. He estimates that the building has $600,000 in simulators between the golf simulators and the pool tables.

When coming up with the idea, Copple wanted to give golfers a year-round place to come but also wanted to provide something unique for billiards players.

“Billiards is a sneaky popular sport in the United States,” Copple said. “How can I make it more relevant to younger generations?”

The billiards tables feature a number of options other than traditional pool games. Each table is essentially a computer screen with the pool stick functioning like a mouse. There are videos on the table to walk you through how to play each game. A patron could play blackjack, where the table picks up where the cue ball lands to select different cards, and then brush up on their billiards skills in a training mode. Copple highlighted the line assist game in particular. This feature allows you to work on different shots to learn in real time.

“There’s a system called 100 moves that walks you through the 100 moves of how to play pool from the easiest to the most difficult,” Copple said.

The food is all-you-can eat hot dogs and pizza. Refreshments offered include Coke products and the business also has a liquor license to offer alcoholic beverages.

Utica resident Mike Ferrans, a billiards player, found out about the Canteen by just peeking in the window before the business was open. Copple gave him a tour.

“He let me in and showed me around,” Ferrans said. “I was very impressed with what I saw.”

Rochester resident Mark Koski, a golfer, said he liked how open it is and that there’s food nearby.

“It’s more of a social interaction than the other simulators I’ve been at,” Koski said.

Brandon Choranziak, who was playing on the same screen as Koski and hails from Clinton Township, agreed.

“I’m coming back on Saturdays,” Choranziak said.

Billiards player Paul Garant, of Clinton Township, was playing a regular game of pool on the table, but had tried out some of the other features like blackjack.

“It’s clean, it’s close by, everything is brand new,” said Garant. “It feels welcoming.”