Non Smoking is the future
Despite all the whining for the "good ole days" where you couldnt see the other side of the room because of smoke...non smoking pool rooms will be the future I think. Every night I have smokeeaters going, fans on, a ventilation fan, and sometimes even the front door open to reduce smoke. I still get numerous requests for non-smoking areas or complaints about the smoke. I cannot EVER remember someone coming up to me and saying..."Gee, I sure wish you guys had a lot more cigarette smoke in here..the air is just way too clean for me!"
When I go to the BCA shows and talk to other room owners about this issue they all say the same things. First they are terrrified about a law banning smoking because so many of their customers smoke. Second, every room owner that operates in a state where it was passed said it was the best thing for thier business. They admit there was a difficult adjustment period, but now are busier than ever. Poor management and being stuck in the past with business planning and not wanting to evolve is what puts pool rooms out of business. The smokers in the USA account for 20.9% of our population. Catering to such a small minority is a dangerous business plan. Common sense says you should cater to the 79.1% of NON-smokers.
I know for a fact that many customers have left my business because of excess smoke. They told me so. I can't imagine how many never came back because of smoke but DIDN'T tell me. I can only assume it was a LOT higher.
Most people dont say a word. Times change people. If you want your local pool hall to survive, support the changes. Like the old saying...You are either part of the problem or part of the solution. Which are you?
Despite all the whining for the "good ole days" where you couldnt see the other side of the room because of smoke...non smoking pool rooms will be the future I think. Every night I have smokeeaters going, fans on, a ventilation fan, and sometimes even the front door open to reduce smoke. I still get numerous requests for non-smoking areas or complaints about the smoke. I cannot EVER remember someone coming up to me and saying..."Gee, I sure wish you guys had a lot more cigarette smoke in here..the air is just way too clean for me!"
When I go to the BCA shows and talk to other room owners about this issue they all say the same things. First they are terrrified about a law banning smoking because so many of their customers smoke. Second, every room owner that operates in a state where it was passed said it was the best thing for thier business. They admit there was a difficult adjustment period, but now are busier than ever. Poor management and being stuck in the past with business planning and not wanting to evolve is what puts pool rooms out of business. The smokers in the USA account for 20.9% of our population. Catering to such a small minority is a dangerous business plan. Common sense says you should cater to the 79.1% of NON-smokers.
I know for a fact that many customers have left my business because of excess smoke. They told me so. I can't imagine how many never came back because of smoke but DIDN'T tell me. I can only assume it was a LOT higher.
Most people dont say a word. Times change people. If you want your local pool hall to survive, support the changes. Like the old saying...You are either part of the problem or part of the solution. Which are you?
