Comet Billiards Closing

I'm very sad to hear that Comet is closing. Bill is a very nice guy and runs a great room.
I enjoyed playing in the Joss events there over the years.
Comet is only about a 35-40 minute drive from the room I own in New York.
It really hits home when I see a room owner near me close.
It is very difficult to have a room without full alcohol and many leagues.
In New Jersey it can cost over $250k just to buy a pre-exsisting licence.
This is a huge expense to undertake, and make a profit.
The old days of a room with a bunch of regulars hanging around waiting for a game are coming to an end. Unfortunitly, that doesn't pay the bills anymore..
The rents are high in this area and I've seen too many places close up in the last couple years.
I wish Bill the best in his next venture..
Best,
Ken Kerner
 
Eric. said:
I gotta play devils advocate....

Couldn't you say the same thing about Bowling? Bowling ctrs are holding their own, and use much more sq footage than pool rooms. Bowling's per customer revenue is similar too. Shouldn't bowling be suffering like Pool?

Off topic, are you going to the Open again?


Eric
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see you tomarrow nite, im there til saturday, :smile:
 
alstl said:
I don't think pool will ever die out but I don't see it returning to its heyday. The kids today have so much more to keep them entertained. I remember the first time I walked into a place with some pool tables as a teenager I was drawn to it like a magnet. I even remember when my Grandma gave me a radio for Christmas, I was jumping up and down like I hit the lottery.
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i agree, the extreme compairsons in my long post were over the top, pool will be alive long as I'm alive-I'm not ever going to stop playing. It will be around in one form or another for a very long time to come, but the hey-day is long gone.

best,
Eric
 
Fatboy said:
i agree, the extreme compairsons in my long post were over the top, pool will be alive long as I'm alive-I'm not ever going to stop playing. It will be around in one form or another for a very long time to come, but the hey-day is long gone.

best,
Eric
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Bad news for us pool :eek: watchers!!!
 
Just an unbelievably sad day in the game. I have so many amazing memories of playing and watching matches in that room.

I met Jack Colavita in that room. I met Pat Fleming there too. Bill Haley, the owner of Comet Billiards, introduced me to both of them. Met Dan Louie and several AZ legends there as well.

The staff was always so helpful, and they were always smiling. I suspect that was because Bill and Marcia produced such a nice environment for everyone.

Comet played host to every conceivable tournament in the area. When a home was needed for the New Jersey State 14.1 championships, the Haleys offered Mr. Colavita a place to hold it. When a room could not be found for the World 14.1, the Haleys stepped up. Joss events, Tri-States, Predator tours, Blaze tours, north jersey 14.1 tours... what did these wonderful people not do for the game?

They deserve better, because they gave us so much. I will never forget this room, or the people who made it special. My condolences to all who considered it their home room; when great rooms close, it really does tear away a little piece of you. I'm missing a few pieces myself; it's a terrible feeling.

I wish I could stop by this weekend to see the room one last time and to say my goodbyes. I have an out-of-town wedding unfortunately. I'll say a little prayer on Saturday night.

Best of luck to Bill, Marcia, and all the staff. We'll miss you, and all you did.

Thanks,
Steve
 
cmsmith9 said:
It's true. I'm a regular and a good friend of Bill and Marcia.

Eric- As of right now I don't think there's any last hurrah, but Saturday there is some APA thing going on so there will be players.

It would be nice to all get there to give them a proper thank you. I'll see what some of the guys are doing.

Christian
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Christian, just to confirm, the last day is Sat, Oct 31st? And if so, can we arrange some sort of impromptu party/ send off for the Haleys?


Eric
 
Eric,

I don't have a firm date, I just know that Saturday they have a small event so they will be open.

I might not be able to be there Saturday for too long, so I'll get back to you about a send off. I will be there tonight for the local 9 ball tournament, so I'll ask around.

Christian
 
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cmsmith9 said:
Eric,

I don't have a firm date, I just know that Saturday they have a small event so they will be open.

I might not be able to be there Saturday for too long, so I'll get back to you about a send off. I will be there tonight for the local 9 ball tournament, so I'll ask around.

Christian
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Hey Christian,

From what I understand the last day of operation will be Sat. Oct. 31st, very sad news indeed -- we've all heard the rumblings about Comet closings for quite some time now, but, I guess - I for one never really wanted to believe that such a nice room with such personable staff would ever have to close down, just another horrible sign of the times we're living in.
Although, Comet wasn't what I would consider my home room per se, I have played there many times and quite alot recently and always enjoyed the atmosphere of that room -- IT SURELY WILL BE MISSED BY MANY!
Best Wishes to Marcia & Bill Haley for all they've done for the players over the years.
 
Railbird said:
Hey Christian,

From what I understand the last day of operation will be Sat. Oct. 31st, very sad news indeed -- .
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I dont know if it's a possibility, but I'd love to see a bunch of Pool players chip in, say, $20-$30 each and show up for a send off party on Sat. Shoot some Pool, take pics, and leave a $20 or $30 table time "tip" (on top of what you actual table time was).

I can't say how much Bill and Marcia have done for Pool in this area. It would be nice to give a small thanks in return.


Eric
 
Eric. said:
I dont know if it's a possibility, but I'd love to see a bunch of Pool players chip in, say, $20-$30 each and show up for a send off party on Sat. Shoot some Pool, take pics, and leave a $20 or $30 table time "tip" (on top of what you actual table time was).

I can't say how much Bill and Marcia have done for Pool in this area. It would be nice to give a small thanks in return.


Eric
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A Poolplayers Halloween Party!
 
feel sick now..

Wish I would have read this before lunch. What a shame.... Best of luck to Bill and Marcia.
 
Railbird said:
Hey Christian,

From what I understand the last day of operation will be Sat. Oct. 31st, very sad news indeed -- we've all heard the rumblings about Comet closings for quite some time now, but, I guess - I for one never really wanted to believe that such a nice room with such personable staff would ever have to close down, just another horrible sign of the times we're living in.
Although, Comet wasn't what I would consider my home room per se, I have played there many times and quite alot recently and always enjoyed the atmosphere of that room -- IT SURELY WILL BE MISSED BY MANY!
Best Wishes to Marcia & Bill Haley for all they've done for the players over the years.
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Hey Jim,
My sentiments exactly. It was a little out of my way, but went the few times I could. It was a beautiful room, and I always thought it was a little too big for this type of buisness (high cielings, heat, electric and rent). Very sad.

I didn't hear about Crown being retaken by Carmen, maybe we can get our old room back. I have not been up to Crown for some time since it was changed. It seemed all the players were chased away.
 
I stayed in NJ for work one time for about a month. I went into Comet at least 4 times a week while I was there and it was really nice getting to meet Bill. He and his staff were very welcoming to me and made me feel right at home. They ran a first class room all the way.
 
abbassi said:
Hey Jim,
My sentiments exactly. It was a little out of my way, but went the few times I could. It was a beautiful room, and I always thought it was a little too big for this type of buisness (high cielings, heat, electric and rent). Very sad.

I didn't hear about Crown being retaken by Carmen, maybe we can get our old room back. I have not been up to Crown for some time since it was changed. It seemed all the players were chased away.
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Hey Stranger,

Yeah, it looks as though Carmen has got the room back again, I know he has some personal stuff to take care of before he thinks about opening up again, probably won't be until after the first of the year, it would be nice to have our room back.
 
Is comet going to be able to host the Joss Tour on their Last day? According to AZ, theres a Joss Tour Stop there on Oct 31 - Nov 1.
 
Comet Closing

I was there last night and spoke directly with Bill. It was incredibly sad news. After a long lay off, I got back into the game five years ago, when I stumbled across Comet. What a great room!

Bill said he has to be out on the 31st, but his last day of operations will be this coming Sunday, October 25th - I guess to give him time to break down tables, etc. and get them into storage.

So, if we're going to do anything collectively as players/customers, it looks like it will have to be on the 25th. If Christian or anybody else gets something started, please let us know and count me in.

Harry:frown:
 
frankwhite said:
Last I heard Carmen is taking the reins back, the gentlemen that rented the space from Carmen, a pool player also re-nigged on the rent and bolted out..(last I heard)

Frankie
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that is true and he sold all the gold crowns also and put in kim steels:sorry:
 
Absolute bummer!

I am headed out that way for a week starting this weekend. I was looking forward to spending a few hours a day there next week but I guess not. My mom and sister liked to tag along with me over there. It was a great place to introduce people to pool.

Best of luck to the owners in whatever lies ahead.
 
so sad to hear about Comet it is a great place and have been there many times for different events. I wish Bill and his family the best.
 
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