In recent years the billiard industry has been on a steady decline in many areas of the United States. It is my belief that there are numerous factors causing this, most are economic and some are not.
I believe that the single largest contributing factor is the economy. Pocket billiards has traditionally been a sport of the middle class with pool halls located in predominantly blue collar working class neighborhoods. They were a place to go and play some pool and socialize with your friends similar to the local pub. In the last twenty years or so the middle class has been virtually eliminated in America. The manufacturing jobs are being moved overseas, the service as well as the construction industry are hiring illegal aliens at unprecedented rates. No I am not mad at the illegal workers! I am mad at the politicians for allowing this to happen and the industries and people taking advantage of the fact that they are so desperate!
American workers "ie" the middle class not only suffer the loss of there jobs but then get hit from every other direction as well. Taxes are going up, banks are charging fees for everything they can think of, gas has risen steadily there seems to be no end in sight. Combine all that with no smoking restrictions, new taxes on alcohol, rising leases from greedy landlords and something has to give. With all these issues it is no surprise to me that the billiard industry is suffering and its future may be in jeopardy.
These are some random thoughts I had while I considered where the billiard industry would be in the next ten to twenty years. I look forward to all comments, suggestions, and even the criticism of the AZ community. Maybe some discussion on this topic will help the struggling pool hall owners, they sure need it!!
Dan
I believe that the single largest contributing factor is the economy. Pocket billiards has traditionally been a sport of the middle class with pool halls located in predominantly blue collar working class neighborhoods. They were a place to go and play some pool and socialize with your friends similar to the local pub. In the last twenty years or so the middle class has been virtually eliminated in America. The manufacturing jobs are being moved overseas, the service as well as the construction industry are hiring illegal aliens at unprecedented rates. No I am not mad at the illegal workers! I am mad at the politicians for allowing this to happen and the industries and people taking advantage of the fact that they are so desperate!
American workers "ie" the middle class not only suffer the loss of there jobs but then get hit from every other direction as well. Taxes are going up, banks are charging fees for everything they can think of, gas has risen steadily there seems to be no end in sight. Combine all that with no smoking restrictions, new taxes on alcohol, rising leases from greedy landlords and something has to give. With all these issues it is no surprise to me that the billiard industry is suffering and its future may be in jeopardy.
These are some random thoughts I had while I considered where the billiard industry would be in the next ten to twenty years. I look forward to all comments, suggestions, and even the criticism of the AZ community. Maybe some discussion on this topic will help the struggling pool hall owners, they sure need it!!
Dan