Rumor controls- Chicago pool rooms

[cueandcushion]

I heard that the famous Chris' Billiard room in Chicago may be closing this year? Is this just a horrible rumor or is there any truth. Anyone from Chris' post on this forum or perhaps a player from that room? What are the status of other pool rooms in Chicago since the smoking ban went into effect? Anyone know FIRST HAND? If you have any suggestions for room owners of how to cultivate business of nonsmokers please speak up. Maybe I should have put this in Room Owners forum too?

 

[philw]

I heard that the famous Chris' Billiard room in Chicago may be closing this year? Is this just a horrible rumor or is there any truth. Anyone from Chris' post on this forum or perhaps a player from that room? What are the status of other pool rooms in Chicago since the smoking ban went into effect? Anyone know FIRST HAND? If you have any suggestions for room owners of how to cultivate business of nonsmokers please speak up. Maybe I should have put this in Room Owners forum too?

I think that is all that is... a rumor Chris' is holding a one pocket tournament today as a matter of fact and business always seems to be good whenever I've been there so I wouldn't worry. Philw

 

[1 Pocket Ghost]

Chris's billiards

I heard that the famous Chris' Billiard room in Chicago may be closing this year? Is this just a horrible rumor or is there any truth. Anyone from Chris' post on this forum or perhaps a player from that room? What are the status of other pool rooms in Chicago since the smoking ban went into effect? Anyone know FIRST HAND? If you have any suggestions for room owners of how to cultivate business of nonsmokers please speak up. Maybe I should have put this in Room Owners forum too?

Craig, Here's your answer in a short sentence: Chris's billiards closing is not probable, but it's not out of the question either......

......In the Chicago area, including Chris's billiards, just like in many other towns/cities around the country, the pool business has slowed down in the last few years...there are many factors contributing to this - poker, competing modern day activities, etc - these factors have been listed before in other threads.........The 4 partners who own Chris's billiards also own three other suburban pool rooms - they had four, but recently sold one of them......From the horses (owners) mouths, they wouldn't mind getting out of the poolroom business, consequently Chris's billiards and the other rooms are all for sale......Over the past year three different groups were considering buying Chris's billiards and did studies of Chris's billiards books/revenue, etc.....No deal could be reached however because all three prospective buyers felt the asking price was too high......So, the future of Chris's billiards is still unknown......But one of the owners likes to tease the Chris's billiards regulars by saying " I don't know where all of you guys are going to go when Chris's billiards closes".......So all of this is why you heard your 'rumor'.........Good luck with your poolroom Craig, and good luck to all poolrooms - it's always a sad thing whenever one closes - especially a good room............................Ghost

 

[cueandcushion]

Thank you One Pocket Ghost for your feedback.

Four St. Louis rooms have closed in the past year. I know one more is in trouble so pool all over seems to be in decline. I know if I won the lottery...a pool room is not where I would invest the money these days. We are very lucky that we diversified many years ago which I hope will help us survive the tough years. Lucky for pool, the only guys that want to get in the pool room business are guys that don't know any better. That's the only thing keeping this sport going!

 

[philw]

Thank you One Pocket Ghost for your feedback.

Four St. Louis rooms have closed in the past year. I know one more is in trouble so pool all over seems to be in decline. I know if I won the lottery...a pool room is not where I would invest the money these days. We are very lucky that we diversified many years ago which I hope will help us survive the tough years. Lucky for pool, the only guys that want to get in the pool room business are guys that don't know any better. That's the only thing keeping this sport going!

What my post was chopped liver? Philw