I think for all of us who grew up in smoking pool rooms, the new norm is NON-SMOKING. It's nice not going home smelling like an ash tray. However, if you're able to create an outdoor space for your smokers, that is a great idea. You don't want anyone feeling unwelcome.I read yesterday or the day before that Rodney was en route to Johnny Archer's pool room, and that he is, indeed, a partner.
The pool room in Marietta had great opportunity, I think, but it was not being managed correctly. There needed to be more hands-on by Johnny and others in his circle at that time.
Good food is key. This will attract many to play pool and hang there while enjoying a nice meal. I'm not a fan of alcoholic beverages in pool rooms, but I realize this is necessary for profit reasons. I hope they have a variety of non-alcoholic drinks too. e.g., fresh coffee, sweet Southern tea, smoothies. One thing I hope they do is make it a no-smoking place. I think that's pretty much the law in most States of the Union. If there's smoking, then many people, families, and others won't be going there on a regular basis.
I'm not sure of the location, but I know most of the successful pool rooms are located near community colleges and universities, giving young folk a place to hang out. If Johnny and Rodney can get this crowd in the joint, I think it will be successful. Look at Snooker's in Rhode Island, right smack in the middle of over a dozen colleges and universities within a 10-minute drive.
Last but not least, no pool room should go without leagues. They need league nights to keep the pool culture going. I hope this will not be another bar. I'd like to see a "real" pool room come to the fore, but that's just me.
Alcohol, Drinks and Food is where the majority of your profit is made. You can also really do well with a retail space, ESPECIALLY if you can get into selling/delivering/installing pool tables in your area. If Johnny can partner with the expert installer in his area that could be lucrative. Also retailing cues and cases at all entry points along with dart stuff. If Johnny devoted himself to this...can you imagine him demonstrating the capabilities of cues at any price point? He would have no problem.
Honestly, if you have a generous retail space you can get creative and sell products OTHER than billiard related odds and ends if you are able to identify the things in which your regular clientele would be interested in purchasing. Good business is about thinking outside of the box. Pool time might cover your paper towel and toilet paper bill for the month (unless you are able to charge high prices without impeding demand).
Good luck to Johnny and Rodney.