Local pool hall... depressing :/

CreeDo

CreeDo

Fargo Rating 597
Silver Member
I almost want to say "dying" but maybe it's too early to say that. Plus I want to stay positive. Mostly I want to vent because it's so depressing for me, I've been shooting here for 13 years. If anyone has suggestions I'm listening.
.....
I volunteer one night a week at the Brunswick, ME pool hall. It's the only actual pool hall for miles, though there are bars and bowling alleys with beat-to-hell bar boxes. The next nearest place (for me) is 20 miles away.

It was once busy all the time, and you'd think it still would be... this is a college town, and there's also a naval air station (tho it's slated for closing in a couple of years). It's a tourist destination in the summer. There are 22,000 people here, not counting nearby towns like bath (home of bath iron works), topsham (home of... arby's?) and freeport (home of LL Bean). With all those people, you'd think more than 3 or 4 would want to play pool on a 9 foot table on a sunday night. But every sunday that I've worked lately, it would have been more profitable to not even open the doors. I've had days where we had 10 bucks of table time and 10 bucks of drinks. Business is brutally slow.

------

I hope I'm not talking out of school to mention this, but as far as I know it's no secret... the owner wants to retire and find someone to buy the place. He's in a position where even if it's just breaking even, that's ok, as long as he doesn't have to personally work the counter. He wants to be able to spend more time with his family rather than deal with the day-to-day of running the place (and I don't blame him, he has 4 young kids, and a job as a counselor, and I think his wife works too). The owner is the nicest human being I have ever known so I don't want anyone to think I'm knocking him. I'm just down about this whole situation.

I guess what I'm wondering is... is it just the economy? He seems to think so. But I'm wondering if it's because he has been less and less involved with running the place. There are definitely areas where it's starting to slide. Again, no knock on him... the guy works hard and after 20+ years in the navy and probably another 10 of the pool hall, it's time for him to slow down. What do you guys think... should he be pushing harder to find someone to buy it? Could he get involved again for a while, try to bring it back to a profitable level, and maybe if it's doing well enough he can pay someone to manage it? Or would that just be a waste of his time in this tough economy? Do you figure it's something that can be ridden out, or is it possible people are just genuinely not interested in playing pool in this area?
 
It is nation wide(for the most part)

CreeDo said:
I almost want to say "dying" but maybe it's too early to say that. Plus I want to stay positive. Mostly I want to vent because it's so depressing for me, I've been shooting here for 13 years. If anyone has suggestions I'm listening.
.....
I volunteer one night a week at the Brunswick, ME pool hall. It's the only actual pool hall for miles, though there are bars and bowling alleys with beat-to-hell bar boxes. The next nearest place (for me) is 20 miles away.

It was once busy all the time, and you'd think it still would be... this is a college town, and there's also a naval air station (tho it's slated for closing in a couple of years). It's a tourist destination in the summer. There are 22,000 people here, not counting nearby towns like bath (home of bath iron works), topsham (home of... arby's?) and freeport (home of LL Bean). With all those people, you'd think more than 3 or 4 would want to play pool on a 9 foot table on a sunday night. But every sunday that I've worked lately, it would have been more profitable to not even open the doors. I've had days where we had 10 bucks of table time and 10 bucks of drinks. Business is brutally slow.

------

I hope I'm not talking out of school to mention this, but as far as I know it's no secret... the owner wants to retire and find someone to buy the place. He's in a position where even if it's just breaking even, that's ok, as long as he doesn't have to personally work the counter. He wants to be able to spend more time with his family rather than deal with the day-to-day of running the place (and I don't blame him, he has 4 young kids, and a job as a counselor, and I think his wife works too). The owner is the nicest human being I have ever known so I don't want anyone to think I'm knocking him. I'm just down about this whole situation.

I guess what I'm wondering is... is it just the economy? He seems to think so. But I'm wondering if it's because he has been less and less involved with running the place. There are definitely areas where it's starting to slide. Again, no knock on him... the guy works hard and after 20+ years in the navy and probably another 10 of the pool hall, it's time for him to slow down. What do you guys think... should he be pushing harder to find someone to buy it? Could he get involved again for a while, try to bring it back to a profitable level, and maybe if it's doing well enough he can pay someone to manage it? Or would that just be a waste of his time in this tough economy? Do you figure it's something that can be ridden out, or is it possible people are just genuinely not interested in playing pool in this area?
Click to expand...

You may also want to post this in the room owner discussion section

Being on the other side of the U.S. I can emphatically say we have the same problem. I have gone back to steadily working behind the counter for the first time in about 20 years. When the economy goes down like this there is absolutely nothing you can do. It is what it is. All you can do is ride it out if you can. He will have to try to cut corners wherever he can. I raised 7 kids with my room and although I had rough times it has never been this bad. And I draw from a lot more people evidently than this room. Of course the day may come for all of us to have to give it up. I sure hope not.
And by the way, it is hot just pool rooms but all businesses are being affected.
 
I was going to say the same thing

Unfortunately, it seems every business, large and small is experiencing diminished returns now......Actually, many retailers are lowereing their prices just to get customers in the door now, so there are real bargains out there.......Seems it's really true that people in general are holding on tight to their money nowadays........what with layoffs and businesses folding up.....
 
CreeDo said:
I almost want to say "dying" but maybe it's too early to say that. Plus I want to stay positive. Mostly I want to vent because it's so depressing for me, I've been shooting here for 13 years. If anyone has suggestions I'm listening.
.....
I volunteer one night a week at the Brunswick, ME pool hall. It's the only actual pool hall for miles, though there are bars and bowling alleys with beat-to-hell bar boxes. The next nearest place (for me) is 20 miles away.

It was once busy all the time, and you'd think it still would be... this is a college town, and there's also a naval air station (tho it's slated for closing in a couple of years). It's a tourist destination in the summer. There are 22,000 people here, not counting nearby towns like bath (home of bath iron works), topsham (home of... arby's?) and freeport (home of LL Bean). With all those people, you'd think more than 3 or 4 would want to play pool on a 9 foot table on a sunday night. But every sunday that I've worked lately, it would have been more profitable to not even open the doors. I've had days where we had 10 bucks of table time and 10 bucks of drinks. Business is brutally slow.

------

I hope I'm not talking out of school to mention this, but as far as I know it's no secret... the owner wants to retire and find someone to buy the place. He's in a position where even if it's just breaking even, that's ok, as long as he doesn't have to personally work the counter. He wants to be able to spend more time with his family rather than deal with the day-to-day of running the place (and I don't blame him, he has 4 young kids, and a job as a counselor, and I think his wife works too). The owner is the nicest human being I have ever known so I don't want anyone to think I'm knocking him. I'm just down about this whole situation.

I guess what I'm wondering is... is it just the economy? He seems to think so. But I'm wondering if it's because he has been less and less involved with running the place. There are definitely areas where it's starting to slide. Again, no knock on him... the guy works hard and after 20+ years in the navy and probably another 10 of the pool hall, it's time for him to slow down. What do you guys think... should he be pushing harder to find someone to buy it? Could he get involved again for a while, try to bring it back to a profitable level, and maybe if it's doing well enough he can pay someone to manage it? Or would that just be a waste of his time in this tough economy? Do you figure it's something that can be ridden out, or is it possible people are just genuinely not interested in playing pool in this area?
Click to expand...




guess what I'm wondering is... is it just the economy? He seems to think so. But I'm wondering if it's because he has been less and less involved with running the place. There are definitely areas where it's starting to slide. Again, no knock on him... the guy works hard and after 20+ years in the navy and probably another 10 of the pool hall, it's time for him to slow down. What do you guys think... should he be pushing harder to find someone to buy it? Could he get involved again for a while, try to bring it back to a profitable level, and maybe if it's doing well enough he can pay someone to manage it? Or would that just be a waste of his time in this tough economy? Do you figure it's something that can be ridden out, or is it possible people are just genuinely not interested in playing pool in this area?

I am a Pool Room owner located in Lakewood Washington near Tacoma. I opened my room in September 2004 and to date I have not seen a major down turn. My business here is very well rounded, however, I have a smaller room only 9 tables. But, I have a decent retail section, normally I have around 100 to 150 cues for sale and all other billiards related accessories. I also offer full cue repair and all minor repairs while the customer waits, in addition I also build Custom Conversion cues. I sell Beer, but no other form of alcohol, so I can keep my room all ages which also enhances the business I do. I do not have a kitchen, so we only serve Microwavable food, and snacks but this is enough for my location.

I certainly think you are right on target, the owner must be in control of his business. If his employee's see that he is no longer concerned about it they will also no longer be concerned, which will lead to further deterioration of the business. People will only do what is required if they feel like they have a stake in making things better, once the owner begins no longer caring about the equipment, the employees will sense that time is short. This will certainly effect the customers also, they will stop spending money if things are not taken care of properly, it kinda like the domino effect. I have seen this happen with other pool rooms over the years and in ever case I think the situation could have changed if the owners were willing to change with the times. However, in most cases people do not understand how to change because they have already given up.

I hope things work out, I hate to see any room close!:(
 
If pool time is only 10 dollars time might be better spent giving coupons or free passes to people just to get them in the door. Personal advertising sometimes goes a long way. WIsh you guys luck. Its tough out there. Another room in St. Louis is closing soon. No business.
Not me though. We are lucky.
 
Are you the pool hall in the church?



CreeDo said:
I almost want to say "dying" but maybe it's too early to say that. Plus I want to stay positive. Mostly I want to vent because it's so depressing for me, I've been shooting here for 13 years. If anyone has suggestions I'm listening.
.....
I volunteer one night a week at the Brunswick, ME pool hall. It's the only actual pool hall for miles, though there are bars and bowling alleys with beat-to-hell bar boxes. The next nearest place (for me) is 20 miles away.

It was once busy all the time, and you'd think it still would be... this is a college town, and there's also a naval air station (tho it's slated for closing in a couple of years). It's a tourist destination in the summer. There are 22,000 people here, not counting nearby towns like bath (home of bath iron works), topsham (home of... arby's?) and freeport (home of LL Bean). With all those people, you'd think more than 3 or 4 would want to play pool on a 9 foot table on a sunday night. But every sunday that I've worked lately, it would have been more profitable to not even open the doors. I've had days where we had 10 bucks of table time and 10 bucks of drinks. Business is brutally slow.

------

I hope I'm not talking out of school to mention this, but as far as I know it's no secret... the owner wants to retire and find someone to buy the place. He's in a position where even if it's just breaking even, that's ok, as long as he doesn't have to personally work the counter. He wants to be able to spend more time with his family rather than deal with the day-to-day of running the place (and I don't blame him, he has 4 young kids, and a job as a counselor, and I think his wife works too). The owner is the nicest human being I have ever known so I don't want anyone to think I'm knocking him. I'm just down about this whole situation.

I guess what I'm wondering is... is it just the economy? He seems to think so. But I'm wondering if it's because he has been less and less involved with running the place. There are definitely areas where it's starting to slide. Again, no knock on him... the guy works hard and after 20+ years in the navy and probably another 10 of the pool hall, it's time for him to slow down. What do you guys think... should he be pushing harder to find someone to buy it? Could he get involved again for a while, try to bring it back to a profitable level, and maybe if it's doing well enough he can pay someone to manage it? Or would that just be a waste of his time in this tough economy? Do you figure it's something that can be ridden out, or is it possible people are just genuinely not interested in playing pool in this area?
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mikepage said:
Are you the pool hall in the church?
Click to expand...

What a small world I have been there as well and it must the place in the church upstairs. The last time I was there I was kind of cruising through town had a couple of hours to kill and played on probably their worse table probably because they did not know me. I had a bunch of people come over and ask me if I wanted to play and I just wanted to practice that day.

Creedo,

I don't often meet people here from this area and we should meet up sometime to bang some balls.

A friend of mine used to own a bar in Old Orchard and the business off season there was horrible. He had three tables and six 8 ball teams playing out of there. All it took was offering free team shirts. This cost about $120 per team per session and he did not buy them in the summer. So $120 for four months bought him 16 or so people per team on a Tuesday evening. He said he probably made that back on the first night. A few times he advertised and he would have a Sunday tournament an offer free draft beer in the ad. For a ten dollar tournament he would give out two free beer tickets which was for two 12oz bush drafts and people would come in droves.
 
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wahcheck said:
Unfortunately, it seems every business, large and small is experiencing diminished returns now......what with layoffs and businesses folding up.....
Click to expand...

Times are tuff for small businesses.
 
Hi Folks,

We have this discussion nearly every week in the pool room. The number of operating tables is a joke. And a bad one at that. The owner operates the room more as a hobby then as a business. Very little daily participation or inter-action. Re-action rather than action.

With rates of $6.00 from noon to six PM and $7.00 from six till closing at two AM and 27 tables you might think the room would be busy. You'd be wrong. There is no waiting list on Friday and Saturday evenings. Most days the room appears closed. Some days there is a four man "golf" game in progress. Most days there is no action. NONE!

There are no weekly tournaments for the players. The owner tried but too many players wanted to win every week. Non stop complaining about handicaps. Once a year the room hosts a Joss Tour Stop. Other than that, road players don't even bother to visit anymore.

This is the one and only "pool room" within an hour and a half's drive. Our regional population is nearly a million. It's still empty. If you travel across our region, you might find the same situation in nearly every room. Very sad!:help:

Lyn
 
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Hey everyone, thanks for the replies and support.

Mike - yup, that's the place. To those who can't imagine such a thing it's really neat... it was a pretty big church and the room has 20 foot molded tin ceilings and very tall windows.

Kahuna - be glad to meet up and shoot sometime. Sunday would be good, although there's a small chance I might actually have enough business that I couldn't shoot. But I'm in there almost every other night too. PM me if you want to set something up.

.......
I guess it's just tough times. Certainly my day job is also deathly slow, I'm not posting at 11:00 AM on a workday because we're slammed (about to go off the clock and just take a long lunch, it's so quiet... it's killing me).

I guess the sensible thing is to just wait and ride it out. Part of me wants to talk to the owner about the decline in standards... the stuff manwon mentioned sounds familiar. I personally can't stand that we've let some equipment go, but at the same time I know the owner's telling the truth when he says there's no money to fix anything or recloth tables. I'm there every sunday being reminded just how little money there is, and volunteer work can only go so far. How do you tell a guy who already works hard that he should be doing more? Maybe I'll suggest the tournaments thing. I know we tried free pool for a while, but it's so bad right now that there's not much to sell to people even if we bring people in the door for free table time.
 
The only CONSTANT is...

change.

If a business owner isn't able and/or willing to change with the times..their long term viability is dire IMO. It doesn't necessarily take capital ($) ....
but at the very least it takes mental capital (vision). Best of luck.

td
 
CreeDo said:
Hey everyone, thanks for the replies and support.

Mike - yup, that's the place. To those who can't imagine such a thing it's really neat... it was a pretty big church and the room has 20 foot molded tin ceilings and very tall windows.

Kahuna - be glad to meet up and shoot sometime. Sunday would be good, although there's a small chance I might actually have enough business that I couldn't shoot. But I'm in there almost every other night too. PM me if you want to set something up.

.......
I guess it's just tough times. Certainly my day job is also deathly slow, I'm not posting at 11:00 AM on a workday because we're slammed (about to go off the clock and just take a long lunch, it's so quiet... it's killing me).

I guess the sensible thing is to just wait and ride it out. Part of me wants to talk to the owner about the decline in standards... the stuff manwon mentioned sounds familiar. I personally can't stand that we've let some equipment go, but at the same time I know the owner's telling the truth when he says there's no money to fix anything or recloth tables. I'm there every sunday being reminded just how little money there is, and volunteer work can only go so far. How do you tell a guy who already works hard that he should be doing more? Maybe I'll suggest the tournaments thing. I know we tried free pool for a while, but it's so bad right now that there's not much to sell to people even if we bring people in the door for free table time.
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You should check out Green Shark Billiards in Gardiner. I look at that place and it just looks like they are doing everything right. Food, bar, cue repairs, menus and specials all over the place.
 
I know in New Jersey they are DEAD. The no smoking killed the pool rooms and bars. Everywhere I go the same story. If I go to my local room and ther's 5 guys there 3 of them are outside having a smoke. Same at my bar.
 
cardiac kid said:
Hi Folks,

We have this discussion nearly every week in the pool room. The number of operating tables is a joke. And a bad one at that. The owner operates the room more as a hobby then as a business. Very little daily participation or inter-action. Re-action rather than action.

With rates of $6.00 from noon to six PM and $7.00 from six till closing at two AM and 27 tables you might think the room would be busy. You'd be wrong. There is no waiting list on Friday and Saturday evenings. Most days the room appears closed. Some days there is a four man "golf" game in progress. Most days there is no action. NONE!

There are no weekly tournaments for the players. The owner tried but too many players wanted to win every week. Non stop complaining about handicaps. Once a year the room hosts a Joss Tour Stop. Other than that, road players don't even bother to visit anymore.

This is the one and only "pool room" within an hour and a half's drive. Our regional population is nearly a million. It's still empty. If you travel across our region, you might find the same situation in nearly every room. Very sad!:help:

Lyn
Click to expand...

Are you talking about CLASSIC?
 
I think it's a combination of factors. The pool business nationwide is in a slump, but it has always tended to run in cycles anyway. Also, in tough economic times like this, people cut down on unnecessary spending. No vacations, and no nights out. They stay home, watch TV and wait it out. Restaurants are hurting bad too.

In times like this, to maintain a business, the owner must work extra hard to promote and advertise his business.
 
There's a pool hall (plus Bar & grill) near me that has 20+ 9' tables. Free pool Sunday nights after 9:00 pm. Go in at 8:30p pay $6.00 for 1/2 hour, get any table you want. Go in a 9:20p pay nothing, but the place is packed and you'll probably get stuck on a waiting list. If your pool hall has something else to offer & make $$$ from, like food & drink...

(File under: FWIW)
 
jay helfert said:
I think it's a combination of factors. The pool business nationwide is in a slump, but it has always tended to run in cycles anyway. Also, in tough economic times like this, people cut down on unnecessary spending. No vacations, and no nights out. They stay home, watch TV and wait it out. Restaurants are hurting bad too.
Click to expand...

We were on Vacation in August in Placerville CA. The Motel we stay at is the same place when we go to the Mother Lode looking for GOLD.
broccoli.gif


Owner told us this pasy Augest was here slowest in 10 years, as people are taking STAY CATIONS. Aka staying at home.:angry:
 
The economy is the major problem, also pool has been on a gradual spiral for about 20 years, since the Color of Money came out. I've diversified by adding a lot of HD TVs and changed the menu. If you don't have money to improve the place it can be difficult. In the beginning I had that problem.

Remembering names and a handshake, and making sure service is exceptional. Those are things you can control. I used to call it internal advertizing. Doesn't cost money, only some effort.

Danny
 
thankfully our owner is the master of friendliness and handshakes... it's helped him get through slow times before. You know he's a nice guy when 3 or 4 guys would pretty much work for nothing to help him out. I'll be sad if he succeeds in selling it and won't be there as much. But not as sad as the alternative >_<

I was surprised to learn how much money comes from our jukebox. It's a touchtunes, I hate it but apparently it's bringing in like half our money on some nights. And now it's broken. Sometimes it's just one thing after another.
 
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