You read "the vibe" correctly.
Unlike a commercial public room, where the owner is trying to make as much money as possible in order to live off of, the concept we are working with a that the Equity Members of the Private Club assure the continuance and maintenance of the club for the enjoyment of it's member body; therefore, it only needs profitable enough to achieve that goal; plus about 5-10% to cover variable and infrequent costs as they arise without issuing an assessment to cover those costs.
So again, you are correct.
The concept we are looking at is maximum comfort with maximum pool, versus, maximum revenue with maximum people.
We are looking at our concept from the opposite of that of a for-profit commercial public room; and instead, our question is not: "How can we make the most money with this?"; but rather, "What is the absolute minimum number of members we can accommodate properly and keep the doors open in perpetuity?"
So the goal - in our case - is to actually sell the minimum number of memberships; and, have a solid waiting list of qualified prospective members waiting in the wings on a waiting list; just like your better Private Golf and Exclusive Country Clubs - albeit on a much smaller scale of economy.
Once the 'profit motive' for a private room has been reduced to minimum above operation costs, then you can get away with only 6 tables. How one could possibly make money with 6 tables only - no bar, no restaurant, etc - which is really a bar/restaurant business with 6 tables on the side - is unfathomable to me.
However, we are only looking at covering the costs of a club house with 6 tables in it, with, no one trying to make a living off the club, pay a home mortgage, buy a car, or put braces on a teenager. Once those goals are eliminated, the small, limited membership, private club model becomes feasible, in our estimation.
In our case, selling 'maximum number of memberships' would work directly against our goal; and, lead us down the familiar path of some private golf clubs which get too popular, allow too many members in, over-crowd the club and course, then the whole place gets a bad reputation as disgruntled members flee; and, the club begins to perpetually scramble for replacement members.
So, not disagreeing with anything in your post; but, your ideas, imho, are more properly suited to a 'for profit' commercial enterprise, and not a 6 table private-member owned/operated club - which exists for the pleasure of it's member-body; and not, to financially support a man operating a retail business.
One thing: There would be a small revenue contribution to the operating budget from the profit from things like cold drinks, cue locker fees, and, if a lathe is on-site for repairs with a qualified repairman who comes in twice a week, etc, then those things would be available to the dues paying members; but not at commercial/retail rates, but at a much lower mark-up over cost. After all, the members are the owner/partners; not retail customers. - GJ
- GJ
