Pool Room equipment

[TATE]

Hi Jay,

I'm very sad to hear of your closing. We are in some trouble here in Rochester. Another room further east in Upstate New York is also thinking of closing at years end. Did the new California smoking law have anything to do with it? Won't see you in Reno. Good luck in the future.

Jay's location was a shot in the dark. It's near LAX in an inner city area, a potentially good or bad location depending on how you look at it.

But there is a new way of choking out the small businesses in California that is far more dangerous than second hand smoke - it's called RENT. The rents here are absolutely ridiculous. In the residential ends of things, in Los Angeles the median rent for a two bedroom apartment is over $1200 per month. We're not talking palaces. As well as squeezing small businesses, this has also resulted in less disposable spending money for consumers.

In addition to high rents, we are also blessed with high electricity costs. For example, my electricity bill in my 2,000 square foot office is over $700 per month.

Californians have adjusted to the lack of indoor smoking. There has been no indoor smoking in office buildings and most public places for at least 10 years or more. I am a former heavy smoker but I won't play in the rooms that still (illegally) allow smoking for anything longer than an hour or two - I just don't enjoy it.

Chris

 

[cardiac kid]

It is sad that a smoking ban has the effect of driving away business - it has been seen here (MN) that there has been an increase in business at establishments that have gone smoke free - maybe those in states or cities where there was no statewide ban - should have helped push for one - in order to keep the playing field level. No easy answers - I think smokers should be able to smoke if they want to without infringing on others rights to breath clean air - also the Tobacco Companys should be prosecuted - they knowingly market to kids and have added addictive substances to their products to keep smokers hooked. That is even by their own admission! Gunna shut up now! I usually have to spout off once about smoking - you won't hear from me again on this topic!

BillyB, I have no quarrel with non-smokers. I became one accidently. My problem is that it is driving small businesses out. If it were just the pool rooms, I would adjust. But its sports bars, regular mom and pop bars, restaurants, retail stores, etc. I feel sorry for those addicted to see them standing outside the side door of a business, cigarette in hand, in ten degree weather while its snowing. They're real people too.

Which brings me to the point of why aren't the cigarette companies and their executives being prosecuted? I was taught to follow the money. Whether Democrat or Republican, they spent lavishly and evidently, wisely. If the Democrats in Congress say "The Republicans took money from the Tobacco Lobby", the Republicans say "The Democrats took money too". It may have been twenty to one, but it incriminates both parties. In the end, only we are losers. The only way to end this tragedy is to "vote'em out of office and elect responsible people". Yah, Shure! Ain't going to happen! It appears today that all they have to do is; wrap themselves in an American flag, call the opponent soft on terrorism, guns and crime and go to the "right" church on Sunday. Americans are dying every day. Not just in Iraq. Right here in America and virually nothing is being done to help us!

Perhaps you might remember the TV news coverage of the chief executives of the major tobacco companies testifying together before Congress under oath. Each told the American people that tobacco was not dangerous or addictive. That was less than ten years ago. We can impeach a President over lying about sex but not people who knowingly kill thousands! Only in America. My sincere condolences over the loss of your wife. I would love to see those executives charged for their part in her death and others. Sadly, it just won't happen!

 

[supdawg]

Getting back to the original point.....

How much for a Gold Crown? Are they being sold as a set or individually?

Also, just my thought on the closing. I don't believe it had anything to do with the smoking ban. I just recently started gettting back into the scene, and was surprised to find most of the local rooms I used to play at are now gone:

Mr. Billiards - Covina
Hard Times - La Habra
University Billiards - Walnut
Cue T's - Walnut
Varsity Billiards - Norwalk

I think the scene is just experiencing a slump in the Los Angeles area.

 

[jay helfert]

Hi Jay,

I'm very sad to hear of your closing. We are in some trouble here in Rochester. Another room further east in Upstate New York is also thinking of closing at years end. Did the new California smoking law have anything to do with it? Won't see you in Reno. Good luck in the future.

Thanks for the letter kid. No, we lost our lease. This business had been quite successful for the last three plus years.

 

[jay helfert]

I don't see how it could considering the indoor smoking law is not new. It has been in effext since I was in California, and that was at least 1996. Besides that, Jay's Billiards did not open until a two or three years ago, if that long.

Hey there Ted. Actually that ban became state law on Jan. 1, 2000. I opened in Nov. 2001 and closed on Dec. 31, 2004. Three good years, but I would have liked to have had three more which had been promised to me. They did give me a buyout though, so not all bad.
Jay

 

[jay helfert]

Smoking ban did not kill Jay's place.
I think Hard Times and Hollywood Billiards did.

Sorry to take so long writing back. I didn't see these initially. Actually, Hollywood Park Casino choose to not extend my lease. This was a very successful business, in no way impacted by Hard Times or Hollywood Billiards.
Jay H.

 

[jay helfert]

Photos of Abe Rich 2004.

Was he making cues in the 60's. I believe my first cue was a Rich cue, in Dayton, Ohio.

 

[jay helfert]

Smoking ban did not kill Jay's place.
I think Hard Times and Hollywood Billiards did.

Hollywood Park Casino choose not to renew my lease. This was a very successful business. Hard Times and Hollywood Billiards had no impact on us.

 

[jay helfert]

Ted,

You know who I am, and smoking laws here killed both of my rooms. There is no doubt about it, smoking bans, unless put in state wide or even county wide where the playing field is level for all business, is horrible! At least Calif. did a statewide ban. I wish they would heve done that here in AZ. I quit somking in 1981 but I still believe that it is a matter of choice.
I never saw Jays room but I think he did open it after the smoking ban. Sorry to here of it closing.

Tom,
The smoking ban had no impact on me. We had a smokers patio where they could go (and they did). Hollywood Park decided not to renew my lease after the initial three years. Too bad, we were going strong, packed on weekends until 4 or 5 AM and busy every other night (10-12 tables going). Beer sales averaged 4-500 a night.
Jay H.

 

[jay helfert]

Hi Ted,

Please go to www.democratandchronicle.com. This morning, they had an article printed about the state of the school systems in the State of New York. With all the tax revenue information listed, perhaps you can get a better idea of just how devastated the economy of New York is. The smoking law did not bring this upon us. It is just one more nail in our coffin. Unfortunately, this nail goes right through the heart of too many small business owners. Then again, we elect lawyers to represent us. They are too worried about pleasing their major clients, party bosses and being re-elected to worry about me and how my life is going! Jay's problems may not have been caused by the smoking law in California. I'll bet it was a major contributing factor!

NOT! I had a smokers patio which they used regularly. I just lost my lease with Hollywood Park Casino.
J.H.

 

[jay helfert]

It's pretty sad to see a veteran like him get out.

Chris

Thanks Chris. As Arnold said "I'll be back"!

 

[jay helfert]

Jay's location was a shot in the dark. It's near LAX in an inner city area, a potentially good or bad location depending on how you look at it.

But there is a new way of choking out the small businesses in California that is far more dangerous than second hand smoke - it's called RENT. The rents here are absolutely ridiculous. In the residential ends of things, in Los Angeles the median rent for a two bedroom apartment is over $1200 per month. We're not talking palaces. As well as squeezing small businesses, this has also resulted in less disposable spending money for consumers.

In addition to high rents, we are also blessed with high electricity costs. For example, my electricity bill in my 2,000 square foot office is over $700 per month.

Californians have adjusted to the lack of indoor smoking. There has been no indoor smoking in office buildings and most public places for at least 10 years or more. I am a former heavy smoker but I won't play in the rooms that still (illegally) allow smoking for anything longer than an hour or two - I just don't enjoy it.

Chris

Chris, You hit the real nail on the head here. I had negotiated a very attractive lease at less than .60 per square foot. Unfortunately, when it came up for renewal after three years, they choose to buy me out rather than renew.

 

[jay helfert]

Smoking ban did not kill Jay's place.
I think Hard Times and Hollywood Billiards did.

Sorry to take so long writing back. I didn't see these initially. Actually, Hollywood Park Casino choose to not extend my lease. This was a very successful business, in no way impacted by Hard Times or Hollywood Billiards.
Jay H.

 

[AuntyDan]

Jay - Does this mean there is still a pool room there, but run by the Casino itself, or have they repurposed the space? Also have you sold all the tables now?

 

[merylane]

Was he making cues in the 60's. I believe my first cue was a Rich cue, in Dayton, Ohio.

that would have been his uncles, but possible he made it as he worked with him in th 50's and 60's til he moved to miami in 73 to start his own shop.

hes with out a doubt the elder statesman in cue building.