"My school teacher used to come to the pool hall and bring me back to school," Warren said with a smile. "One time the whole class skipped school. And the teacher knew right where to find us."
Although they're not sure exactly when, Williams and Warren said the original pool hall at the corner of 9th and Rolla opened in the 1950s. "It opened as Stanley's Pool Hall," Warren said. "Stanley Grzyb was the original owner. It's the only place that was open on Christmas. It never closed."
"It was a different time then," Williams said. "Back then no women were allowed. No women... unless your mom came in to kick you out of here. And that happened a lot!"
"It was a popular spot," Warren said. "USGS used to be right next door and those guys would come over to play at lunch. It was a big lunch crowd back then."
Back then there was one table reserved as the "open" table. "Stanley (Grzyb) would rack it himself," Warren said. "It was 10 cents a game, and it was a challenge table. Nothing but 8-Ball."
Ah, those were the days for sure. I remember them well in my neck of the woods. I don't think I will EVER be able to see a pool room like this in my area. I miss it.
The cool part of this story, however, is that these two pool-playing enthusiasts are NOT going to let the tradition die in Rolla, Missouri. Best of all, there will be no alcohol served. I like pool rooms much better that don't serve alcohol, always have and always will.
Continuing: A Rolla tradition is back. Under various names since the 1950s, there has been a pool/billiard hall located at the corner of 9th & Rolla Streets that not only has housed the best players in the area but has also attracted some of the world's best to sharpen their skills.
That tradition will continue when C&M Billiards opens its doors this month.
Owners Mike and Chris Lillie as well as new manager, Brian Harris, have lived that pool-playing tradition. And they can't wait to bring it back.
As has been the case since the first billiard establishment in the 1950s, C&M Billiards is striving to bring a safe, fun setting for both young people as well as established players. Alcoholic beverages have never been allowed in the building. And that won't change with the business re-opens.
About the new owners: A Rich History. Two of the best players produced by the local hall, Bobby Williams and Martin Warren, were on hand last week when Chris Lillie and Harris were showing off the updated facilities.
Williams, who now lives in North Carolina, was a world-ranked player in the 1970s and 1980s. At one time Williams won the U.S. Carolina Cup on the pro billiards circuit, defeating world-renowned player Steve "The Miz" Mizerak on his way to the title.
Warren, who still lives in Rolla, is a two-time Missouri 9-Ball State Champion as well as a Missouri 8-Ball State winner in the 1990s. He won 9-Ball and 8-Ball state titles in the same year, which excluded him from playing for the state titles for more than a dozen years.
Harris, himself a splendid player, says Williams and Warren are among the best players to learn the game on Rolla tables, along with David Matlock, known as "King of the Bar Tables" for all the big bar tournaments he has won over the years, as well as Ronnie Spradling. Those guys literally grew up playing pool there. "We were always here," Williams said.
Who is this Dave Matlock fellow?! :grin-square:
Concluding: The pool hall has two 9-foot tables and three 7-foot tables. "And we may put in a couple of more smaller tables as well," Chris Lillie said.
Snacks, soda and a heat & eat menu are offered, with all the food packaged. "We want to help kids become interested in the sport," Harris said. "We'll eventually want to give lessons and have youth clinics, to teach young people how to play the game properly.
"And we eventually want to have weekly tournaments for younger kids and probably have an open tournament once a month (to include experienced players). And we may also eventually have leagues."
Although he's not sure of an exact date, Chris Lillie says C&M Billiards will be open sometime within the next week or two. Business times will be from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
"But we'll stay open later if there are several players who want to keep playing," Harris added. C&M Billiards is located at 212 W. 9th St. The phone number is (573) 426-4255.
They're making it player friendly and inviting for youth to learn how to play pool. BRAVO and well done! How refreshing to see pool alive and well in Jolla, MO. Here's wishing C&M Billiards all the success in the world. They deserve it!
Source: http://www.therolladailynews.com/sports/x1820646603/Weekend-Feature
Co-owners Chris Lillie (left) and manager Brian Harris of C&M Billiards.
Although they're not sure exactly when, Williams and Warren said the original pool hall at the corner of 9th and Rolla opened in the 1950s. "It opened as Stanley's Pool Hall," Warren said. "Stanley Grzyb was the original owner. It's the only place that was open on Christmas. It never closed."
"It was a different time then," Williams said. "Back then no women were allowed. No women... unless your mom came in to kick you out of here. And that happened a lot!"
"It was a popular spot," Warren said. "USGS used to be right next door and those guys would come over to play at lunch. It was a big lunch crowd back then."
Back then there was one table reserved as the "open" table. "Stanley (Grzyb) would rack it himself," Warren said. "It was 10 cents a game, and it was a challenge table. Nothing but 8-Ball."
Ah, those were the days for sure. I remember them well in my neck of the woods. I don't think I will EVER be able to see a pool room like this in my area. I miss it.
The cool part of this story, however, is that these two pool-playing enthusiasts are NOT going to let the tradition die in Rolla, Missouri. Best of all, there will be no alcohol served. I like pool rooms much better that don't serve alcohol, always have and always will.
Continuing: A Rolla tradition is back. Under various names since the 1950s, there has been a pool/billiard hall located at the corner of 9th & Rolla Streets that not only has housed the best players in the area but has also attracted some of the world's best to sharpen their skills.
That tradition will continue when C&M Billiards opens its doors this month.
Owners Mike and Chris Lillie as well as new manager, Brian Harris, have lived that pool-playing tradition. And they can't wait to bring it back.
As has been the case since the first billiard establishment in the 1950s, C&M Billiards is striving to bring a safe, fun setting for both young people as well as established players. Alcoholic beverages have never been allowed in the building. And that won't change with the business re-opens.
About the new owners: A Rich History. Two of the best players produced by the local hall, Bobby Williams and Martin Warren, were on hand last week when Chris Lillie and Harris were showing off the updated facilities.
Williams, who now lives in North Carolina, was a world-ranked player in the 1970s and 1980s. At one time Williams won the U.S. Carolina Cup on the pro billiards circuit, defeating world-renowned player Steve "The Miz" Mizerak on his way to the title.
Warren, who still lives in Rolla, is a two-time Missouri 9-Ball State Champion as well as a Missouri 8-Ball State winner in the 1990s. He won 9-Ball and 8-Ball state titles in the same year, which excluded him from playing for the state titles for more than a dozen years.
Harris, himself a splendid player, says Williams and Warren are among the best players to learn the game on Rolla tables, along with David Matlock, known as "King of the Bar Tables" for all the big bar tournaments he has won over the years, as well as Ronnie Spradling. Those guys literally grew up playing pool there. "We were always here," Williams said.
Who is this Dave Matlock fellow?! :grin-square:
Concluding: The pool hall has two 9-foot tables and three 7-foot tables. "And we may put in a couple of more smaller tables as well," Chris Lillie said.
Snacks, soda and a heat & eat menu are offered, with all the food packaged. "We want to help kids become interested in the sport," Harris said. "We'll eventually want to give lessons and have youth clinics, to teach young people how to play the game properly.
"And we eventually want to have weekly tournaments for younger kids and probably have an open tournament once a month (to include experienced players). And we may also eventually have leagues."
Although he's not sure of an exact date, Chris Lillie says C&M Billiards will be open sometime within the next week or two. Business times will be from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
"But we'll stay open later if there are several players who want to keep playing," Harris added. C&M Billiards is located at 212 W. 9th St. The phone number is (573) 426-4255.
They're making it player friendly and inviting for youth to learn how to play pool. BRAVO and well done! How refreshing to see pool alive and well in Jolla, MO. Here's wishing C&M Billiards all the success in the world. They deserve it!
Source: http://www.therolladailynews.com/sports/x1820646603/Weekend-Feature
Co-owners Chris Lillie (left) and manager Brian Harris of C&M Billiards.
