Guys Dolls Roanoke VA Shut Down

By Amy Friedenberger amy.friedenberger@roanoke.com 981-3356 | Posted 13 hours ago

Roanoke police searched a pool hall on Friday afternoon on suspicion of illegal gambling and stolen property being sold to the business owner.

Officers conducted a search warrant at Guys & Dolls Billiards in the 1500 block of Williamson Road Northeast after an investigation that started in April 2014, police spokesman Scott Leamon said.

Leamon said complaints and tips to the police alleging illegal gambling and receiving stolen property spurred the investigation. He said confidential informants aided in the investigation by selling items that were represented as stolen. They also played video poker machines that were located inside the business and were paid currency for their winnings, he said.

No one had been charged as of late Friday night, Leamon said.

The search warrant detailing what has been seized should be available to the public next week.

The building has since been condemned, Leamon said.

Leamon said Friday’s search was unrelated to earlier operations involving seven business owners, store managers and employees who were snared in June 2014 in an undercover investigation that targeted the trading of stolen merchandise around Roanoke.
 
I've got a great idea!

Let's build pool by starting a juniors pool league (ages 11-16) and convince parents to send their kids to a pool hall. Gotta start 'em young.

Yeah, right.
 
What a shame,,it was a great little spot in it's day. Back in the late 70's there was lots of action,,one pocket and nine ball. Haven't been by in a couple of years now, but hate seeing this take place,,
 
I went there many years ago and it was a great little pool room.
No problem finding action, nice little breakfast restaurant next door.
Went to a bar not to far away and they had a huge poster photo of their pool team LOL. That was awesome it made for easy pickings. :thumbup:
 
Been there quite a few times myself. I like it lots, real pool all feel.

Anybody know how Lon it had been in operation?

I hate that the pool hall is becoming a thing of the past, but I guess breaking the law is never a good long-term plan, business of personL.

I got no solution, only lament...
 
Back when the no smoking laws came about. I was just about to go in the room ,,thought I'd have a smoke before doing so. Then went in and saw everyone lit up like no law had been passed. Saw Ollie behind the counter and asked how they had gotten around it. He told me that the law read that there could be smoking as long as there was at least one table set up with it's own ventilation area. He Then pointed over at the closet door which had a widow of plexiglass ,,I peered inside and there was a one foot by 6 inch table on top of another table,,with a rack of balls and two cues layed out on it,,with reduced rates from the rest of the room,,you could play in there for half cost...:thumbup:
Sporty,,any word from Joplin after this happened?
 
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It's always surprising to see what people can manage to do with a business.

What, me worry? Fun little read. At least it didn't mention anything about pool itself.

Interesting to read some of the reader comments, like:

Is anyone surprised?
Reply · Like · 2 · Follow Post · 19 hours ago

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Had to fight my way out of their one night. Glad someone opening the eyes to the law.
Reply · Like · 1 · Follow Post · 16 hours ago

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Got jumped in the parkinglot leaving just last Friday night... could have been avoided if the guy would have eliminated the problem when it first happened.
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Oh well, there's a shocker.

My comment: The h*ll with these goody-two-shoes party-poopers! Gambling is what makes pool successful. Let's get professional about it and bring in the mob. They'll know how to make gambling/pool bigtime.

And anyone who disagrees with me is a NIT.
 
Interesting to read some of the reader comments, like:

Is anyone surprised?
Reply · Like · 2 · Follow Post · 19 hours ago

-------------
Had to fight my way out of their one night. Glad someone opening the eyes to the law.
Reply · Like · 1 · Follow Post · 16 hours ago

-------------
Got jumped in the parkinglot leaving just last Friday night... could have been avoided if the guy would have eliminated the problem when it first happened.
-------------
Oh well, there's a shocker.

My comment: The h*ll with these goody-two-shoes party-poopers! Gambling is what makes pool successful. Let's get professional about it and bring in the mob. They'll know how to make gambling/pool bigtime.

And anyone who disagrees with me is a NIT.

Trust me, the POOL gambling wasn't a problem there.
 
Did they just build a casino nearby? Or get keno or lotto in a neighboring business?
That's what usually happens.
You are cutting into a "legitimate" persons money "meaning someone who is connected to local corrupt politicians even at the city level" and the hammer falls on you, so they have a chance to do good for society.
I watch people every time I go out of the house that would never play a fair game of pool for a dollar , or give a kid 50 cents to get an ice cream cone, if their life depended on it , and they are buying lotto tickets and playing Keno at a 50 % rake.
As fast as the machines will go.
Life sure is strange.
 
Did they just build a casino nearby? Or get keno or lotto in a neighboring business?
That's what usually happens.
You are cutting into a "legitimate" persons money "meaning someone who is connected to local corrupt politicians even at the city level" and the hammer falls on you, so they have a chance to do good for society.
I watch people every time I go out of the house that would never play a fair game of pool for a dollar , or give a kid 50 cents to get an ice cream cone, if their life depended on it , and they are buying lotto tickets and playing Keno at a 50 % rake.
As fast as the machines will go.
Life sure is strange.

Where can I get that 50 cent Ice Cream Cone?:wink:
 
Just about all the old timers are gone from this spot,,and there were a lot of them. Was a peaceful spot back in it's hay day,,doesn't seem it has been that peaceful of a spot , as of late, from what I've read and from friends I've spoken with.
Sporty, thanks for bringing this up,,sorry about the news,,keep in touch,
 
Guys & Dolls will be open again very soon. The only reason they have to close is because of the building. Im Local to the area and am there pretty often, once they fix the building (Roof) then it will be back open within 30days is what the rumor around the area is
 
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