One of the great grandsons of the owner of LaScala Cue Club in University City, MO (room was around in the 60s and 70s) was curious about what I knew about his great grandparents' pool room. He asked me and I replied in a Conversation about what I remembered. I don't know if he wants to be identified so I will let him do so if he wishes. Anyhow, we are both interested in whatever other info AZB peeps have about LaScala, so if you remember anything, please chime in. Here is what I wrote to him:
"Hi. Thanks for reaching out. I am 75 years old, grew up in University City and graduated from U. City High in 1967. I have been a pool nut all my life and still play in two leagues. I have lived in Atlanta for 50 years but remember your great grandfather Angelo and remember seeing your great grandmother working there too.
The mid-60s after the Hustler came out was the golden age of pool in my lifetime. I was and am a pretty good pool player so I played mostly at Grand-Olive Billiards located at -- you guessed it -- Grand Avenue and Olive Street. That's where all the gamblers, road players and great players hung out. Also played at Tropicana Lanes and the Esquire Cue Club on Clayton Road near Big Bend.
Here's what I remember about LaScala, some of which may be wrong, but hey they are my memories.
1. It was spelled with a capital S. It's full name was "LaScala Cue Club."
2. I believe it opened in 1964 or 1965, definitely no later than 1966. I played there for what seemed like a few years and I was gone from St. Louis by September 1967.
3. I never saw any road players, gamblers etc. although I wasn't there that frequently.
4. Most of the people who were playing there were high schoolers from U. City or one of the Catholic schools: Mercy, CBC or SLUH.
5. The tables were A. E. Schmidt 8 footers.
6. The house cues were one piece sneaky petes and they had very thick shafts, way thicker than usual, I'd say 14 mm or more.
7. Your great grandfather retipped the cues himself.
8. Your great grandfather spoke with a thick Italian accent and didn't get to know many of us but I never heard a bad word said about him.
9. Your great grandparents lived upstairs in an apartment that was built on the roof. Think of the building as a big rectangle with a picture window in front and their apartment as a little rectangle on top of that.
Hope this helps and if you have any more questions, feel free to contact me again (and again). LaScala was part of the good old days for me."
"Hi. Thanks for reaching out. I am 75 years old, grew up in University City and graduated from U. City High in 1967. I have been a pool nut all my life and still play in two leagues. I have lived in Atlanta for 50 years but remember your great grandfather Angelo and remember seeing your great grandmother working there too.
The mid-60s after the Hustler came out was the golden age of pool in my lifetime. I was and am a pretty good pool player so I played mostly at Grand-Olive Billiards located at -- you guessed it -- Grand Avenue and Olive Street. That's where all the gamblers, road players and great players hung out. Also played at Tropicana Lanes and the Esquire Cue Club on Clayton Road near Big Bend.
Here's what I remember about LaScala, some of which may be wrong, but hey they are my memories.
1. It was spelled with a capital S. It's full name was "LaScala Cue Club."
2. I believe it opened in 1964 or 1965, definitely no later than 1966. I played there for what seemed like a few years and I was gone from St. Louis by September 1967.
3. I never saw any road players, gamblers etc. although I wasn't there that frequently.
4. Most of the people who were playing there were high schoolers from U. City or one of the Catholic schools: Mercy, CBC or SLUH.
5. The tables were A. E. Schmidt 8 footers.
6. The house cues were one piece sneaky petes and they had very thick shafts, way thicker than usual, I'd say 14 mm or more.
7. Your great grandfather retipped the cues himself.
8. Your great grandfather spoke with a thick Italian accent and didn't get to know many of us but I never heard a bad word said about him.
9. Your great grandparents lived upstairs in an apartment that was built on the roof. Think of the building as a big rectangle with a picture window in front and their apartment as a little rectangle on top of that.
Hope this helps and if you have any more questions, feel free to contact me again (and again). LaScala was part of the good old days for me."
