Another Room Closing...

1

1on1pooltournys

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Well, my hometown pool room has officially closed. No place to play now, as it was the only "pool room" in my town. I guess I will be giving the game up (as a player) for awhile. I'm looking to buy a table to put in my home and had one lined up but it got sold before I could get to it. If anybody has a good line on a nice 9ft table with a reasonable price please pm me.
Thanks in advance.
 
Bob Jewett said:
In your view, why did the room fail?
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The town has only about 80,000 people and there are simply not enough players to support it. It was a "player's room" so to speak. It is too tough to make it on table time alone, although they did have beer, but not really any other clientele except for the handful of players that hung out there. Very sad, I've realized I lead a pretty boring life without pool.
 
Jay Helfert had some tables for sale, what room closed? I couldn't piece it together since your location isn't really accurate.
 
1on1pooltournys said:
The town has only about 80,000 people and there are simply not enough players to support it. It was a "player's room" so to speak. It is too tough to make it on table time alone, although they did have beer, but not really any other clientele except for the handful of players that hung out there. Very sad, I've realized I lead a pretty boring life without pool.
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What town do you live in? How far are you willing to drive?
 
Fuji-whopper said:
Jay Helfert had some tables for sale, what room closed? I couldn't piece it together since your location isn't really accurate.
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Lol, if you look at location it reads..." poolplayer's nightmare" that is the truth. Terre Haute, IN aka the armpit of America according to Steve Martin.
 
1on1pooltournys said:
I'm afraid so. They may reopen later down the line (supposedly in the form of another business, with maybe 1 table :frown:), but it doesn't appear to be anytime soon.
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Bummer. I was hoping to report that there was a snooker table near you, but the closest one appears to be in Indianapolis.

What about this one:

Brewer's Pool & Fun Center‎
26 S Central Ave
Casey, IL 62420-1644
(217) 932-3261

Found through Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/). No doubt you know the area, but I figured I'd throw that one out there even if it's a long shot.
 
Sorry to hear that your loseing your room. If a room can't make it in a town of 80k then I guess it's no wonder that here in this town of 30k our room has to make it by having a stage and weekend bands.
 
1on1pooltournys said:
The town has only about 80,000 people and there are simply not enough players to support it. It was a "player's room" so to speak. It is too tough to make it on table time alone, although they did have beer, but not really any other clientele except for the handful of players that hung out there. Very sad, I've realized I lead a pretty boring life without pool.
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A pool room can succeed in a "town" of 80,000, even in today's economy. But to succeed you can not depend on "players" to make it work. Serious pool players will only account for 15-20% of your business in a successful room. The other 80%+ comes from the general public, people who are looking for somewhere to go to enjoy a night out.

A successful room owner today must embrace the "social" crowd who just want to have a comfortable environment to enjoy themselves in. To me that looks like big screen TV's featuring major sporting events, GOOD snack food like burgers and pizza, beer and wine and pretty waitresses (and handsome waiters) of course. Throw in some cool video games, maybe a ping pong table or two, foosball and any other fun game you can find and you can make a go of it. P.S. Don't forget the ATM - Cha Ching!

It is a formula that will still work today. You must create a fun place for young people (and old) to hang out in. If I were to open another room (and I may do that), I would probably have something like eight big tables and eight small tables. Leagues can be huge every night of the week on the small tables. People still want somewhere to go to so they don't have to sit around the house every night. Young people especially need a gathering place on their dates, socializing etc.

A town of 80,000 should have at least one place like this. That's my opinion.
 
New rooms

Although this info may not help the O.P. - but I have had several discussions with pool publications and my own info from Diamond Billiards.

Since about January, there seems to starting a 'resurgence' of new rooms. According to Tom Shaw of P&B Magazine, 605 stated reduced rent and long term lease as the primary reason.

There is a little sunshine coming out of the gloom. The depressed economy has created a surplus of space for rent - hence a much lower price.

This could be the start of something good for the pool industry.

But a room STILL has to promote - have leagues etc. But the rent is usually the biggest nut a room has.

Mark Griffin

(I am keeping my fingers crossed that more rooms open up)
 
OP if they end up auctioning off any of their items please post any info you might get. I am looking specifically for Spectator Chairs. Been on craigslist for a bit now.

Thanks.
 
Perk said:
OP if they end up auctioning off any of their items please post any info you might get. I am looking specifically for Spectator Chairs. Been on craigslist for a bit now.

Thanks.
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They had very nice furnishings, but I'm not sure what their plans are.
 
Mark Griffin said:
Although this info may not help the O.P. - but I have had several discussions with pool publications and my own info from Diamond Billiards.

Since about January, there seems to starting a 'resurgence' of new rooms. According to Tom Shaw of P&B Magazine, 605 stated reduced rent and long term lease as the primary reason.

There is a little sunshine coming out of the gloom. The depressed economy has created a surplus of space for rent - hence a much lower price.

This could be the start of something good for the pool industry.

But a room STILL has to promote - have leagues etc. But the rent is usually the biggest nut a room has.

Mark Griffin

(I am keeping my fingers crossed that more rooms open up)
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I think the town I live in would support a nice room with more attractions than just pool, provided it is in a good location. We also have 3 colleges here and one would have to really work at trying to get the college crowd. Indiana has weird liquor laws, but if you could get the 21 yr old seniors and grad students it would help.
 
Bummer man. I feel for ya. Ive been through Terra Haute before, and for its size, it sure seems smaller than 80,000. I live in Kokomo and we have one room here, and its struggling quite a bit, so I hope they can avoid the fate of your pool hall. Keep your head up, maybe it will re-open soon.



Joe
 
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