New room

[FloridaPoolGal]

I know there are a bunch of threads on this forum about starting a new room. I've read them all. I just wanted a fresh up to date opinion about my specific situation.

I've owned one small business in the past, but it was nothing like opening a room. I have been collecting equipment and have 8 gandy 9 ft tables amongst odds and ends. I've been searching for building for quite some time. I plan to serve beer / wine and snacks. I am not ready to get into what it takes to serve real food at least right away. The biggest issue I have run across is finding a spot. I've considered purchasing a building, but have had no luck within my budget to find the square footage that I need and proper zoning. I'm thinking 3000 to 4000 sq ft is my target. So now I'm looking at leases. I found one that is the perfect size and in a great location. They are asking 4k per month. This to me sounds steep. I was trying to be around 2k.

So I guess at this point what I'm asking is, what is the dollar amount that I need to stay under to make money. The area I am in has no rooms within a 1 hour radius.

I hope to have 14 - 16 tables total at startup.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[cuesss]

i might have some equipment for sale.tables coolers tvs stools register.
try to stay under ten dollars per square foot on the lease.good luck

 

[brainbyte]

Billiard equipment

Hi
I have some table for sale. Originally wanted to open a room in Georgia but the state has basically banded any new rooms from opening by resrictive ordinances.
I have 9 Cosmo w/t ball return, 4 Gold Crown IV (all 9') and a 10' Cosmo Billiard table for sale. I have all the associated equipment for them...lights, cues, balls etc.
They are all in storage in Atlanta. If you are interested you can email me at hkinnyc@gmail.com. (My prices are extremely reasonable for these commercial tables....I am basically getting rid of them)
Thanks

I would consider no less than 4000' for the room size and 5000' would be better. Food and drink is a major factor in a successful operation. Table time alone will never make it, that is why you need to plan for a kitchen and some dining space in the future if not in the immediate plans.

 

[brainbyte]

Available Tables

Hi
Not sure if my previous reply was inserted.
I have 13- 9' commerical pool tables 1- 5x10 heated carom table for sale.
The 9' tables are 9 Cosmos and 4 Gold Crown IVs. The carom table is a Cosmo tornament level table.
These all had Simonis on them originally and are in excellent condition.
They are disasembled and in storage in Buford GA where I now live. I was going to open a room here but local ordiance denied me a business license so I am selling all. There are lights, balls, cues etc. for each table.
Make me and offer if you are still looking for tables....I want rid of them.

Thanks
Hank
You can reach me at 917-560-1850

 

[William]

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[nbkvig2]

I know there are a bunch of threads on this forum about starting a new room. I've read them all. I just wanted a fresh up to date opinion about my specific situation.

I've owned one small business in the past, but it was nothing like opening a room. I have been collecting equipment and have 8 gandy 9 ft tables amongst odds and ends. I've been searching for building for quite some time. I plan to serve beer / wine and snacks. I am not ready to get into what it takes to serve real food at least right away. The biggest issue I have run across is finding a spot. I've considered purchasing a building, but have had no luck within my budget to find the square footage that I need and proper zoning. I'm thinking 3000 to 4000 sq ft is my target. So now I'm looking at leases. I found one that is the perfect size and in a great location. They are asking 4k per month. This to me sounds steep. I was trying to be around 2k.

So I guess at this point what I'm asking is, what is the dollar amount that I need to stay under to make money. The area I am in has no rooms within a 1 hour radius.

I hope to have 14 - 16 tables total at startup.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Hello, just a fellow room owner that went through exactly what you are going through right now. We just opened up 2 months ago and it wasn't easy. Your sqft for 14-16 table set up is pretty good but it all depends on the floor plan and how you do the layout. Not all of the sqft are usable.

I'm not sure of the market in your location but $4000 a month for 3000-4000 sqft would be more than ideal in my area. Keep in mind if you're in a commercial plaza, there's management fees (much like HOA dues in a condo) and etc. Between $2000-$4000 that's a huge jump in budgeting each month so your rates must be designed accordingly.

As they say, location is everything, I generally don't recommend downsizing based off of rent budget, I don't like to "compensate" due to not having enough money or what not. Without going into too much details, I can tell you that our rent is over $10,000 a month and we are still turning profit in both months that we've been in operation.

My BEST advice I can give for a business owner looking for a location is to find yourself the best commercial broker you can and have them work out the deals between you and the landlord. We got mucked pretty bad on our lease agreements due to ambiguity and in all honesty the landlord is borderline a pirate. The broker will review all your paperwork and call out any "traps" within the agreement and try to fight for you. This is the most important part in picking out a location in my opinion. Your lease agreement has a huge factor in your profitability down the road.

Hope what I've said helps in someway, If you have any specific questions, you can PM me and I'll try my best to help. I've been through all the steps recently so everything is still fresh in my head. Best of luck to you!