Honest Opinions Needed

[little bubba]

I have seriously considered opening a pool room where I live. I am currently deployed, when I return home I wil look at this again. Where I live there are over 500,000 people in three coastal counties. I live in the center county very close to a major hwy and interstate. As of now there is one decent size room "kinda off the beaten path". There is one other much smaller room the next county over. Before, when I briefly persued this, Clicks was very interested. I thought about a Clicks or Fox & The Hound, in a prime location. Is an individual owned or franchised the way to go? Will my area support it based on the population? I have possible investors/partners if needed.

 

[steveharn]

Opinion

I would look at how successful a franchise is, my guess is the poolroom franchises are not a tremendous sucess. Therefore, I would probably go for my own deal. However, I had to go out to eat tonight, the weather is bad, sleet and rain all day, and ready to freeze again. No Mom and Pop places open, only franchises. That speaks pretty well for franchises. Sounds like you live in an area that might support something like a Dave & Busters, have you ever checked them out? We have a Jillians Billiards Club in Evansville, IN, beautiful place, it has about 15 GC's upstairs. I've been there several times, virtually no one playing pool except me. That's kinda scary. If I could open a place right now I would have 7' Diamond coin ops, serve food like pizza, wings, etc. and be smoke-free. I would go for leagues for adults as well as young people. I would try to make it where everyone could come and have fun, very difficult I know. That's my vision at this time.

 

[little bubba]

Thanks for the imput Steve. I am not familiar with Dave and Busters, but I will do some research on them. The very best pool room that I have ever been in was "Paradise Billiards" in Corpus Christi, TX. I love the way it's set up, man, what I would do to have that where I live! I really think I or we could do well here. Thanks for the reply. little bubba

 

[cueandcushion]

If you are going to start from scratch I would do it smoke free. The smoking bans are still going to come no matter what. You might as well build your base from non-smokers to lessen the impact when it DOES happen.

Good luck on your venture.

 

[little bubba]

Smoking

If you are going to start from scratch I would do it smoke free. The smoking bans are still going to come no matter what. You might as well build your base from non-smokers to lessen the impact when it DOES happen.

Good luck on your venture.

You are exactly right, my city is already pondering the smokefree scene, it's just a matter of time. BTW I am not a smoker, so I'm good with it. Thanks for the reply.

 

[manwon]

I have seriously considered opening a pool room where I live. I am currently deployed, when I return home I wil look at this again. Where I live there are over 500,000 people in three coastal counties. I live in the center county very close to a major hwy and interstate. As of now there is one decent size room "kinda off the beaten path". There is one other much smaller room the next county over. Before, when I briefly persued this, Clicks was very interested. I thought about a Clicks or Fox & The Hound, in a prime location. Is an individual owned or franchised the way to go? Will my area support it based on the population? I have possible investors/partners if needed.

All I can say is good luck to you and I mean this seriously. I joined the Army in 1977, went on active duty in 1979, and retired in 2003. I opened a Pool Room in Lakewood, washington near Ft. Lewis in September 2004. I found a location, put together a Business plan, purchased the tables new, and things have done very well for me.

My advise is simple, to make it in this business you have to fill a nitch. Just renting pool tables and selling food and drinks may pay the bills with a little left over. But, in addition to this I would have a decent selection of cues and cases for sale along with acessories. I would also recommend doing full cue repair, for your customers along with have BCA and APA pool leagues playing out of your room.

Good Luck Craig and come home safe.

 

[little bubba]

Ft. Lewis

All I can say is good luck to you and I mean this seriously. I joined the Army in 1977, went on active duty in 1979, and retired in 2003. I opened a Pool Room in Lakewood, washington near Ft. Lewis in September 2004. I found a location, put together a Business plan, purchased the tables new, and things have done very well for me.

My advise is simple, to make it in this business you have to fill a nitch. Just renting pool tables and selling food and drinks may pay the bills with a little left over. But, in addition to this I would have a decent selection of cues and cases for sale along with acessories. I would also recommend doing full cue repair, for your customers along with have BCA and APA pool leagues playing out of your room.

Good Luck Craig and come home safe.

Craig, thanks for the advice! I am trying to get a group of non-pool playing friends of mine to come out and climb Mt. Rainer, something I have always wanted to do. If we make it out (summer 09), I will come see you.

I have two friends that make custom cues at home I could probably persuade to do cue repair. Also, I am fortunate enough to have made some friends in the "pool world" that could help me with promoting tournaments and general business decisions. I do not have to make a living with it immediately. I have a federal military job when I complete this tour. I won't retire for another 14 years if I want to stay that long (age 56). Just looking right now, but I have always wanted a nice pool room/ sports bar.

 

[manwon]

Craig, thanks for the advice! I am trying to get a group of non-pool playing friends of mine to come out and climb Mt. Rainer, something I have always wanted to do. If we make it out (summer 09), I will come see you.

I have two friends that make custom cues at home I could probably persuade to do cue repair. Also, I am fortunate enough to have made some friends in the "pool world" that could help me with promoting tournaments and general business decisions. I do not have to make a living with it immediately. I have a federal military job when I complete this tour. I won't retire for another 14 years if I want to stay that long (age 56). Just looking right now, but I have always wanted a nice pool room/ sports bar.

You are very welcome, I do no where you are coming from. I have eaten sand on three occasions, September 1990 until July 1991, Febuary 1993 until July 1993, and march 2002 until September 2002.

If I can help in the future let me know, send me a Pm and I will give you phone number and email address.

Stay safe man!!!!!