Dress Code for Gold Crown Billiards, Erie, PA

[ARROWCRUSHER]

It's his buisness so it's his rules

The only thing I seen that may be questionable would be the sweat pants. I wear athletic suits or nice warm up suits made from Nike, Addidas they dont look trashy or cheap. But I wear them because they are comfortable and you can move freeley in them. I think they look better than jeans and I know they are more expensive then jeans and tee shirt. But would a athletic suit like this go against your dress code and or would someone be asked to leave dressed in something like this ? Oh and I am almost 44 years old I wear my pants up where they should be and my hat the original way also... . So I do see what Paul means by wanting to have just a decent buisness were no one is offended on the another persons appearence or behavior in the establishment. But I just wanted to know if my almost daily playing attire would be accepted at Gold Crown Billiards as I have relatives near there and may go visit sometime ,,,<<ED

 

[jrackman]

I have had a dress code for 32 years and have had to update it periodically to address the latest offensive or disrespectful fad. This year it was pajama bottoms.

Good for you and I hope others follow your lead here, maybe people will come back to the poolrooms not feeling like they might get robbed when they leave.

 

[neal916]

If you wanna make money- open a subway
If you want a headache- open a pool hall.

hehe jk

BTW: From teh last picture posted you establishment looks really clean and well laid out but that's just looking at the counter and the way you got it laid out. Kudos!

 

[lstevedus]

I am one of the people who quit going to their local pool hall because of the bad atmosphere. The room is nice. The equipment is good, but the people with their language and dress and behavior made what I do for fun not fun anymore.

Now instead of driving 15 miles to play in a tournament, I drive closer to 70 miles. Its not what I want to do, but I'm not going to play where I don't feel safe, and I'm not the only person that has quit playing there.

People with jobs and money to spend are going to vote with their wallets. Paul has had his place open for a long time. The other type of poolroom('s) are closing up everyday. Its not rocket science to be able to figure out who's doing it right, and who's doing it wrong.

 

[Paul Schofield]

I am one of the people who quit going to their local pool hall because of the bad atmosphere. The room is nice. The equipment is good, but the people with their language and dress and behavior made what I do for fun not fun anymore.

Now instead of driving 15 miles to play in a tournament, I drive closer to 70 miles. Its not what I want to do, but I'm not going to play where I don't feel safe, and I'm not the only person that has quit playing there.

People with jobs and money to spend are going to vote with their wallets. Paul has had his place open for a long time. The other type of poolroom('s) are closing up everyday. Its not rocket science to be able to figure out who's doing it right, and who's doing it wrong.

Let the weeds take hold in a garden and they will choke out every worthwhile plant untill there is nothing left but weeds.

 

[3andstop]

Let the weeds take hold in a garden and they will choak out every worthwhile plant untill there is nothing left but weeds.

Truer words were never spoken! The crazy irony in this thread is that some weeds think they have a right to live in YOUR GARDEN. Silly weeds....

 

[Maxx]

Let the weeds take hold in a garden and they will choak out every worthwhile plant untill there is nothing left but weeds.

I'm glad you can tell if a person is a weed or not just by how they look.
I think I had said that I would like to play in your nice room, but I guess I was wrong.

It seems that yor dress code is nothing more than a tool to keep a certain "type" of person out.
Good luck on your weed free establishment. I hope that you never have to depend on undesirables, or anybody different than your ideal customer, to make a pay the bills.

Maybe you were born 30 or forty years too soon.
As somebody said earlier, too many signs ....
Good Luck and I'm done here.

 

[Paul Schofield]

Paul really knows how to get tons of replies on his threads. Wether it be break rules, break styles, or dress code.

Very nice pool room!

It is the following thread that has received the most views (more than 11,000)
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=125776

 

[3RAILKICK]

Clearly, I don't get it.

It's just me-but I don't find 'gangsta-in the hood-prison inspired dress' all that mad, crazy chic.

Having the cops show up every weekend, beer steins busted over peoples noses, having someone explain how the bullet holes got in the plate glass windows or why the rash of 'keying' of cars in the parking lot, especially adjacent to the piles of empty 40's on the ground-doesn't do it for me anymore.

'Rules' can rub the wrong way. Substitute agreeable and acceptable behavior and respect for your fellow patron, and you may find yourself in a friendly, safe, and thriving place to play pool, eat, drink and socialize.

For those who hold the 'you're not the boss of me, "F" you-I can do what I want' mantra-there are establishments that support and condone those sentiments.

Patron differences in appearance and opinions often result in alternative sites
where the customer can go. The customers always have a choice. Abide with the program or decide to take your business elsewhere. Vote with your dollars. It's a basic business and consumer practice.

It's fine to disagree with the policies of a particular pool room business. Build an alternative mouse trap and watch out for rats.

Paul's business has been around for over 30 years. He surely has made some mistakes. He surely has made many more good decisions about and for his customers to allow him to grow his business and serve an increasing customer base. Maybe Paul's methods, policies and procedures are wrong-and there just happen to exist enough equally wrongminded folks that choose to hang out at his place.

But then, I don't get it. I used to know a lot more, but now, I just know that I don't know much about telling someone else how to run their successful business.

Sorry for the rant-I'm getting old and cranky-and have less tolerance for those who seem to see no reason why they should be responsible for their own irresponsibility.

Have a nice effin day.

take care

 

[spanky79]

Clearly, I don't get it.

It's just me-but I don't find 'gangsta-in the hood-prison inspired dress' all that mad, crazy chic.

Having the cops show up every weekend, beer steins busted over peoples noses, having someone explain how the bullet holes got in the plate glass windows or why the rash of 'keying' of cars in the parking lot, especially adjacent to the piles of empty 40's on the ground-doesn't do it for me anymore.

'Rules' can rub the wrong way. Substitute agreeable and acceptable behavior and respect for your fellow patron, and you may find yourself in a friendly, safe, and thriving place to play pool, eat, drink and socialize.

For those who hold the 'you're not the boss of me, "F" you-I can do what I want' mantra-there are establishments that support and condone those sentiments.

Patron differences in appearance and opinions often result in alternative sites
where the customer can go. The customers always have a choice. Abide with the program or decide to take your business elsewhere. Vote with your dollars. It's a basic business and consumer practice.

It's fine to disagree with the policies of a particular pool room business. Build an alternative mouse trap and watch out for rats.

Paul's business has been around for over 30 years. He surely has made some mistakes. He surely has made many more good decisions about and for his customers to allow him to grow his business and serve an increasing customer base. Maybe Paul's methods, policies and procedures are wrong-and there just happen to exist enough equally wrongminded folks that choose to hang out at his place.

But then, I don't get it. I used to know a lot more, but now, I just know that I don't know much about telling someone else how to run their successful business.

Sorry for the rant-I'm getting old and cranky-and have less tolerance for those who seem to see no reason why they should be responsible for their own irresponsibility.

Have a nice effin day.

take care

This my friend is why we get along so well.

It would be nice or not get a contact high when I play a tournament

 

[JoeyA]

You would get along well with the owner of Emerald Billiards in New Iberia, Louisiana. He has the largest and best looking pool room in the state.

Wish his and your pool room were closer to me.

 

[Mikey Town]

This is a wonderful expansion to the usual "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service" sign. In so many words you have added, "And nothing else that makes you look like a piece of trash either!"

Imagine, in the year 2011 the is a respectable, successful pool room gearing itself towards attracting equally respectable, successful patrons.

I wish more owners would take your lead. If you ever expand out to Southern California, I will be first in line.

 

[Rob_jerrylee]

Hey Paul I agree with you on this issue , Now here's a little story about myself a few years ago before I started playing pool now I used to dress like a punk rocker with long hair long beard and never gave a thought of it now I still looked like this my first year of playing then finally I took a long hard look in the mirror and said to myself somethings got to change .

So I went out got a total make over got my hair cut and started clean shaving , the way I dress now is a nice Polo and undershirt nice dress slacks and shoes , people were afraid of me before hand and didn't want to play it just goes to show that a person's image is everything on the way they dress . I see alot of young youths out there that dress like gangsters with the pants sagging and the long shirts and hats to the side . I'm not saying its bad but have a little respect for yourself and others around you .

When I was playing league I remember there was a kid from another team that always wore his pants falling off his butt and finally someone said something to him and he's respones was that he didn't have belt that fit him .....If you think about it now I don't know if it's me but there are stores out there that sells belts that fit people I think it was an excuse for him to get away with it . Personally when I'm playing a game of pool with someone I don't need to see there underpants when they are shooting .

Your doing a great job Paul and some day hopfully I can take a trip to see your pool room .

Theres a before and after picture of me and the way i used to look .

 

[JoeyA]

Hey Paul I agree with you on this issue , Now here's a little story about myself a few years ago before I started playing pool now I used to dress like a punk rocker with long hair long beard and never gave a thought of it now I still looked like this my first year of playing then finally I took a long hard look in the mirror and said to myself somethings got to change .

So I went out got a total make over got my hair cut and started clean shaving , the way I dress now is a nice Polo and undershirt nice dress slacks and shoes , people were afraid of me before hand and didn't want to play it just goes to show that a person's image is everything on the way they dress . I see alot of young youths out there that dress like gangsters with the pants sagging and the long shirts and hats to the side . I'm not saying its bad but have a little respect for yourself and others around you .

When I was playing league I remember there was a kid from another team that always wore his pants falling off his butt and finally someone said something to him and he's respones was that he didn't have belt that fit him .....If you think about it now I don't know if it's me but there are stores out there that sells belts that fit people I think it was an excuse for him to get away with it . Personally when I'm playing a game of pool with someone I don't need to see there underpants when they are shooting .

Your doing a great job Paul and some day hopfully I can take a trip to see your pool room .

Theres a before and after picture of me and the way i used to look .

You still have a ways to go. Now all you have to do is rub out that tat on your forearm and you are good to go.

 

[MOJOE]

I'd be thrilled to have a pool room around me that has the standards that Paul's room has!

Too bad there aren't more of them around.

I have not read the entire thread but do have one question for Paul, and I apologize if this was already asked but, do you allow wagering on games?? Just curious.

Peace, JoeyK

Nothing wrong with the forearm tat Rob_Jerrylee, I got one too.. JoeyA is a pretty good feller other than that comment!! Just ribbing ya JoeyA

 

[mikepage]

Fargo Billiards is very young. Time will tell if it is a winner. Mike, I hope I am wrong. If you are in business for a while, you may have some very tough lessons coming your way.

I'm sure I have a lot of tough lessons to learn; I just none of them is TOO tough ;-)

We've only been open a year and a half.

We have two tournaments every week (8-ball on 7' tables and 9-ball on 9' tables), three nights of leagues, larger monthly and quarterly tournaments ($500 added 9-ball & $2500 added 8-ball weekend after next). Generally some modest action most days. Top equipment, knowledgeable staff... reasonable rates... So there's plenty of "real" pool stuff.

We also have private rooms with pool tables for larger groups. And plenty of groups that get a "section" out in the open. In the NEXT WEEK, we have the following gatherings scheduled

The Young Professionals Network - 25 people
The fancy import car company - 20 people
local bank - 26 people
another local bank - 34 people
office furniture store - 40 people
skydive place - 25
electric company - 60
major manufacturing co - steak & shrimp dinner - 80 people
Lutheran church 100 people -- including tournament
major upscale retail store - 50
Rotary Club - 35
local homebrewing club -35
ambulance co - 40
local medical group -40
wedding rehearsal dinner 28
local food bank - 40 people
technology company 70 people - includes tournament
assisted living/senior housing place - 80 people w/trickshot exhibition

That's just one week. All these people are being exposed to pool. Many are having stereotypes broken.

I looked around at the tables that were rented while I was running the 8-ball tournament yesterday, and I saw some younger couples, some older couples, some small groups, etc. And I noticed there were about a dozen baseball caps scattered around with three of them backwards--one here and one there. I noticed two different people who had sweatshirts with hoods. And two different people had ski caps on.

I asked myself whether there was any sense at all that these people were in some way intimidating. I just couldn't see it. They were scattered around -- just folks having a good time. There's other people with church clothes on or otherwise dressed decently.

We have really nice bathrooms (black granite counters... tile all the way up on the walls... black toilets & urinals) that we keep clean. I've several times caught patrons picking up an errant paper towel or grabbing a paper towel and wiping down the counter top.

We don't have any signs about drinks not being on the rails etc. But it basically just never happens. I think people just adapt to the environment they're in.

 

[JoeyA]

I'd be thrilled to have a pool room around me that has the standards that Paul's room has!

Too bad there aren't more of them around.

I have not read the entire thread but do have one question for Paul, and I apologize if this was already asked but, do you allow wagering on games?? Just curious.

Peace, JoeyK

Nothing wrong with the forearm tat Rob_Jerrylee, I got one too.. JoeyA is a pretty good feller other than that comment!! Just ribbing ya JoeyA

I've got one myself.

 

[Rob_jerrylee]

It's all good JoeyA , Tho I have offend thought about getting rid of it but that cost's alot of money lol . I think I've done pretty well so fare with what I have to work with . :smile:

 

[Paul Schofield]

I'm sure I have a lot of tough lessons to learn; I just none of them is TOO tough ;-)

We've only been open a year and a half.

Mike, It happens slowly. One day (maybe four or five years down the road) you look at your place and you can't believe what you have and you wonder how it happened. You get a honeymoon when you first open. Your place is hot and everyone has got to come and see you. If you are really good, the honeymoon can last upwards of 2 1/2 to 3 years. After the honeymoon is over, then you see what you have got.

Be careful. My experience is that the number of people you have with sweats, backward hats, bandannas etc. slowly grows until that becomes your clientèle. It is very difficult to fix then.

 

[jwpretd]

Smoking?

Paul, I was wondering if you allow smoking in your building? If not, is that a matter of state/local law, or just your own policy?