Every pool room I have been in with food did not have rules about eating while playing.
I have never noticed grease/whatever stains on the felt (in actual pool rooms, not bars). Most people use common sense.
Like I said, most of our customers appreciate and respect this rule, so they'll have clean tables/cloth to play on for as long as possible. We are as polite and respectful as we can possibly be when we first explain this policy, and even again to those that need a second reminder.
Selfish attitudes like you just described, that act like it's such an imposition / inconvenience to stop playing while they eat, are the ones that tick me off. Yes, I know it's a business and we need as many customers as we can get these days, but perhaps you/they might see it differently if they were your tables and it cost you $400+ per table every time you have to get them re-covered - not because of the wear and tear but due to the unsightly grease / food stains on them.
We've been here 22 years. Food is our main business, although I'm a passionate pool player and the poolroom is the only reason I have and love this business. Not to brag, but we hear from customers every day that we have nicest, cleanest poolroom with quality tables always kept in top condition, of any poolroom they've ever been in. We have no alcohol, which is one reason for that. Those that have been here will attest that we have a very unique poolroom in a very unusual rural location - in the northwest mountains of NC which is largely a family touristy area.I wish you luck, I think we need more pool balls around. But I’d always prefer to play where I could eat and play if I wanted to. I think most of your customers wouldn’t make a mess, so it feels like you are “punishing” them because of a few bad apples.
Could you set up an area to serve the food and only allow it there? That forces people away from the table in order to eat. I've never seen your place, so I don't know if the layout would allow it. If you truly have mostly casual players, I wouldn't think this would really matter and they wouldn't mind taking a food break.
You're right - I will admit that I'm sacrificing potential food sales as well as potential pool table rental income by having and enforcing this rule. So be it, I've clearly accepted that I've made this concession to keep our pool tables in top condition, and at least for now, I can live with that.I know what you're saying but still think it severally handicaps ones business. This is a casual game to most people who play when the mood strikes them or on a whim. Playing and eating go together if both are available. I would bet the vast majority of these people would not "take a food break" and come back to the playing side. They will do one or the other. IF that's true you are severally limiting yourself by not allowing them to do the acts together. If they eat not only are they purchasing both food and playing time but will be purchasing them together and for a much longer period of time with the possibility of more food purchases whether that be more drinks, deserts, an extra order of fires, maybe friends joining them and doing the same etc etc. Not to mention all of which are high profit margin items as well. So even to the statement that we have mostly casual players I still don't see this rule being helpful at all when the argument is to "keep stains off the table." As said, most reasonable people use napkins and in a resort type town you have described those people have money to spend and are by and large reasonable......But hey, its not my room as I'm only offering an opinion you asked for. :thumbup:
You're right - I will admit that I'm sacrificing potential food sales as well as potential pool table rental income by having and enforcing this rule. So be it, I've clearly accepted that I've made this concession to keep our pool tables in top condition, and at least for now, I can live with that.
Yep, private message me when you know you might be dropping by, so I can give you clear directions and make sure I'm ready for you - I prefer 9-ball or 14.1. No one pocket or banks please!Sorry if it is easily available, I don't see it.
Chris- where is your room? I go to Pisgah/ DuPont occasionally and I have been know to enjoy knocking some balls off the table. (I'll be stopping thru)
Edit: boone. I see, said the blind man.
I think this guy hits the nail,if not on the head at least somewhere.I wish you luck, I think we need more pool balls around. But I’d always prefer to play where I could eat and play if I wanted to. I think most of your customers wouldn’t make a mess, so it feels like you are “punishing” them because of a few bad apples.