Nobel-Length Novella Batman!
I've actually been toying with this idea since in our city of 100,000 people there is only 1 hall, and 1 sports-bar with tables. I've even gone so far as to find a downtown vacant lot of suitable size, and one large building that is likewise vacant. I also have connections with a lot of the promoters around the area, and am active within the local pool scene.
However, my thoughts lean more toward building my own structure, two-storey, with the pool-hall on the second floor and a strip mall below to help cover the costs of the building itself. As others have said though, finding the cash to cover that much of an outlay is very hard these days.
My experience playing all over the world has shown me what I like to see, and what draws customers. Unfortunately, in North America things tend to lean toward the great equipment/poor facility side which I honestly could not own, although I see why people skimp on the rest and have better equipment (I suspect the owners are players and spend the bulk of their investment on what matters most to them).
As far as multiple avenues to draw customers, as a player I'd rather be somewhere where the music isn't thrasher or techno (including bands if they share the stage, so-to-speak), and the ambiance leans toward gentlemen and not the savage bar-room banger that pool has a reputation of belonging to. I'd enjoy owning the only publicly available carom table in Southern Alberta, even if only a handful of people even understood what it was for. I'd also love to see dart lanes (as there are two entire spots (and not the two I mentioned earlier) here for people.
But it's not only pool, billiards, and darts I would like to offer; I'd also like to see 3 or 4 star food. Try saying Bruschetta here and you'd either be scorned or sent off to one of 3 fancy restaurants. I think this and a true billiards parlour should go hand in hand. You don't need to play pocket billiards to enjoy good food or cognac, but as an owner, all of these bring revenue.
Sadly though, these things don't come together outside of large cities, at least not here in Canada. I somewhat envy America where at least the entire game/sport has somewhat of a following, but I find it disappointing that you walk into one of these halls and find a menu of chips/crisps and perhaps some microwaved 7-11 heart-attacks. Beautiful tables mind you, but an asphalt-tiled floor, some big picture windows cooking players in the relentless sun, and a teenager behind the makeshift bar with her friends ogling her outfit. On those nice tables, we have some people who look like they had never seen a collared shirt or a shower, smashing balls in on a bar-box thinking betting is the only way to get a, "good game".
I do apologize to anyone that is offended, but this was invented as a pursuit for gentlemen, not trash. I don't expect people to wear a vest to play, but a modicum of respect for the equipment and the other patrons would be nice.
I don't expect to earn a living from table time alone. In fact, the players I would like to see wouldn't make me much of a living from alcohol either since they often don't drink while playing seriously. That's why I would like to see darts, a full kitchen, and a lounge. I would enjoy bringing some class back to our pursuit but I wonder if the reputation is so damaged now that it could even be restored.
I would also love to be able to garner 750K that it might be possible. But right now, even the downstairs strip mall would be empty. And sadly, while it is cheaper to play a good game of 3-cushion, snooker, or pool than it is to vacation, I wonder if the people capable of affording such a trip in better times would see a billiards parlour as a place to be harassed or as an evening out.
PS: I know; I'm long-winded.
