Phoenix Pool Room to close down!

stuckart

stuckart

Paint Dry Watching Champ
Silver Member
The word on the street is that Alexander's Sports Bar in Phoenix will be closing it's doors in May!

I spoke with Ron about this last night and he confirmed the bad news. Alexander's is home of 7 Diamond Barboxes and 1 - 9 footer. And has been home to State Champions of all levels. This weekend they held a qualifier for players wanting to get into the Desert Shootout next weekend.

This is a very difficult time for us all, and this news does not bode well for the pool community. Our hearts go out to Ron and Ann and all they have done for Pool in the Valley over the years. But I know Ron will still be involved somewhere somehow.
 
stuckart said:
The word on the street is that Alexander's Sports Bar in Phoenix will be closing it's doors in May!

I spoke with Ron about this last night and he confirmed the bad news. Alexander's is home of 7 Diamond Barboxes and 1 - 9 footer. And has been home to State Champions of all levels. This weekend they held a qualifier for players wanting to get into the Desert Shootout next weekend.

This is a very difficult time for us all, and this news does not bode well for the pool community. Our hearts go out to Ron and Ann and all they have done for Pool in the Valley over the years. But I know Ron will still be involved somewhere somehow.
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I REALLY hope that this is not true.

Ron Merseal has been one of the few champions for pool promotion in Arizona over the last 5-6 years.

Ray
 
Yep Ray it appears so. I heard the news on Friday Night and thought it was some sort of sick joke. But I went into Alexander's Last night to hear it from Ron's mouth. He is unable to renew the Lease and actually held the bar open a few months longer than he financially could just to accomodate the 80 or so players that were trying to get qualified for Vegas.

The last day will be May 7th, which is the End of the Season payout for his in-house Wednesday Night League. And the day before the Vegas tournament events begin.
 
Not a good thing for AZ Pool.
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BigCat said:
I REALLY hope that this is not true.

Ron Merseal has been one of the few champions for pool promotion in Arizona over the last 5-6 years.

Ray
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Yes, unfortunately this is not a rumor. Ron Merseal has decided to close the doors at Alexander's. This is very sad news indeed. I believe all of the league players owe him a huge "thank you" for keeping the doors open until now. He only did this to get everyone qualified for Vegas. So, as you all are making your run for the titles in Vegas, remember how you got there.

Ron has been a great asset to the pool community in Arizona and I'm certain he will continue to be in the future, some way, somehow. I know Ron well, and he is too good for pool to give it up now.

There are many of us 10's and above who owe him a huge "thank you" as well. If not for Alexander's, we would have been extremely limited in our choice of tournaments. Just to recap, he has had some of the best tournaments around over the years (Bob Klimas Memorial, Desert Dustoff, Olhausen All Around Tour stops, every state championship you can imagine, Desert Classic Tour stops, North/South Cactus Cup, and many more).

So to Ron, I say "thank you". Thank you for all you have done for me, both in the pool arena, as well as personally. I consider you a great friend! You have supported a lot of players, including myself over the years, and I don't believe any of us could thank you enough. Pool will suffer greatly in this state without your participation. So with that being said, "get your butt back to the drawing board" and get back in the mix. We need you in the azpoolscene :) (Ron's great website for az pool)

Dennis
 
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Absolutely terrible news.

I have been going into Alexander's around 25 years now. Since the original owner. (Martha) Way back when it was a single room...1/3 the size it currently is.

I actually learned a lot in there, about life, pool, women, and people. Had good times, and bad times. Met some GREAT people in there...some life long friends.

It's just not right....the Phoenix Pool Scene....won't be the same.

I'm so sorry to hear the news, Ron. Thanks again for all you have done with Az. pool. I really hope you stay involved, and keep the website going?

You can bet I'll be back in this week. I have got to get back in to say goodbye...to a place I 'grew' up in.

It's not going to be the same...that much I can tell you.

THANKS for all the years.

Rick S.
 
Now I wonder what will happen to the location called Alexanders, and will someone likely reopen the place up to be a Pool orientated bar? I often wondered how to bars side by side, or across a thin alley could survive, as to be honest Alexander is unique in the another bar sits just across the drive way from it.
 
This is unreal, Alexanders has a great reputation in the Valley and has had for a long time, this is one of those places that I thought would be there long after we were all gone. As far as another pool room opening in it's place I just can't see anyone being able to make it. If Ron could not make it work with his devotion, enthusiasm and willingness to sacrifice for the game of pool I am not sure that anyone can. I don't know Ron very well but I know what he has done for the pool and billiards industry and fans here in the Phoenix area. I also thank you for everything although I know you are still involved in the business and will be a great asset somewhere else makeing pool cool in AZ.
Mark,
 
bfdlad said:
This is unreal, Alexanders has a great reputation in the Valley and has had for a long time, this is one of those places that I thought would be there long after we were all gone. As far as another pool room opening in it's place I just can't see anyone being able to make it. If Ron could not make it work with his devotion, enthusiasm and willingness to sacrifice for the game of pool I am not sure that anyone can. I don't know Ron very well but I know what he has done for the pool and billiards industry and fans here in the Phoenix area. I also thank you for everything although I know you are still involved in the business and will be a great asset somewhere else makeing pool cool in AZ.
Mark,
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I do not thnik it is that he could not make it work, this was stated above, "He is unable to renew the Lease and actually held the bar open a few months longer than he financially could just to accomodate the 80 or so players that were trying to get qualified for Vegas.." What that means I do not know? Did the landlord jump his rent to the point of making it unreasonable.
 
CocoboloCowboy said:
I do not thnik it is that he could not make it work, this was stated above, "He is unable to renew the Lease and actually held the bar open a few months longer than he financially could just to accomodate the 80 or so players that were trying to get qualified for Vegas.." What that means I do not know? Did the landlord jump his rent to the point of making it unreasonable.
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Yeah, I wasn't sure on that one myself. I did read about the lease and than saw the part about longer than he financially could. You are probably right. I wonder why a landlord would not want them to stay? or not help with the new lease in someway. I thought that landlords were always looking for a stable place that they could count on. I am sure that Ron is making the right choice givenwhatever the circumstances are.
 
[QUOTE What that means I do not know? Did the landlord jump his rent to the point of making it unreasonable.[/QUOTE]

This is what happens in rental property. Someone willing to pay more. Or landowner thinking they have the upper hand. One way or the other, It's very sad news. I've played there a few time in my travels. It was a good place to play in AZ. It will be missed no doubt.
 
stuckart said:
Yep Ray it appears so. I heard the news on Friday Night and thought it was some sort of sick joke. But I went into Alexander's Last night to hear it from Ron's mouth. He is unable to renew the Lease and actually held the bar open a few months longer than he financially could just to accomodate the 80 or so players that were trying to get qualified for Vegas.

The last day will be May 7th, which is the End of the Season payout for his in-house Wednesday Night League. And the day before the Vegas tournament events begin.
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If it is a lease issue could he not just move versus close down completely?1/1!?
 
This is not what I wanted to see on a Monday morning.

This is a complete shock to me...(and Ron and I are on the same team for Vegas)

I actually had to look at this thread for a couple minutes just to let it sink in......This really sucks...


Alexanders is a Nexus for me...No matter what pool room I went to play at...the stories, the action, the updates, everything always came back to Alexanders....If I was away from pool for a few weeks, months, or a year..(it happened)...I could always get caught up on everything just by walking in Alexanders.

I still can't believe it.......

Well....After the closing....pool on the west side will be officially dead.
 
BRKNRUN said:
This is not what I wanted to see on a Monday morning.

This is a complete shock to me...(and Ron and I are on the same team for Vegas)

I actually had to look at this thread for a couple minutes just to let it sink in......This really sucks...


Alexanders is a Nexus for me...No matter what pool room I went to play at...the stories, the action, the updates, everything always came back to Alexanders....If I was away from pool for a few weeks, months, or a year..(it happened)...I could always get caught up on everything just by walking in Alexanders.

I still can't believe it.......

Well....After the closing....pool on the west side will be officially dead.
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I live in the East Valley and don't know that area well at all. The only place I knew to play on that side of town was Alexanders. You say "the West Side pool will be officially dead" Please tell me thats not true. That makes it worse. Is there nowhere else to play over there? I know it won't compare probably but thewre has to be something. Let me know.
 
Craig Fales said:
If it is a lease issue could he not just move versus close down completely?1/1!?
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I'm sure it's not that easy. First, you would have to find a location (building) that was available. Preferrably, it would have to already be established as a pool hall/bar with a setup already in place (such as restrooms/bar/space, etc...). Otherwise, you would have to spend tens of thousands to refurnish a vacant building. And then only if the landlord wants a bar/pool hall. (which limits them in the future on what they can do with it). Not to mention, the liquor license probably limits where you can have your establishment. This just gives me a headache.....
 
BRKNRUN said:
This is not what I wanted to see on a Monday morning.

This is a complete shock to me...(and Ron and I are on the same team for Vegas)

I actually had to look at this thread for a couple minutes just to let it sink in......This really sucks...


Alexanders is a Nexus for me...No matter what pool room I went to play at...the stories, the action, the updates, everything always came back to Alexanders....If I was away from pool for a few weeks, months, or a year..(it happened)...I could always get caught up on everything just by walking in Alexanders.

I still can't believe it.......

Well....After the closing....pool on the west side will be officially dead.
Click to expand...
Shocking for sure. WOW!

Not sure what else to say.

BVal
 
Now the question is where will all the $500.00 add tournaments be 7 & 8 Rated Players?

Also what will go in where Alexanders was?
 
CocoboloCowboy said:
Now the question is where will all the $500.00 add tournaments be 7 & 8 Rated Players?

Also what will go in where Alexanders was?
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To answer the first question - who knows.
To answer the second question - who cares. It won't be Alexander's anymore.

BVal
 
Yeah, it sucks

I heard Six Shooters may be opening back up, which isn't a good thing unless they get someone in there who knows how to treat pool players and hold tournaments. That may be the only decent place to go. Metro is ok, but there are so many idiots in there, and it's crowded as hell. Alexander's was a pretty awesome place to play pool. I have spent lots of money in there and never had a bad time. Ron has always been kind to my girlfriend and I. That news sucks balls.
 
That really sucks. Just want to say thank you to Ron for all you have done for pool over the years, and wish you luck.
 
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