Post by Ozarks Tom on Jul 23, 2022 2:08:42 GMT
Back in the 80's I was what some people might refer to as a "rounder". I had a successful wood flooring business, but also had a talent for shooting pool. I enjoyed hitting different bars, shooting a few games, making a few bucks, and moving on before anyone got overly upset over being beaten by just one or two shots. That's how hustles work.
Well, The King's Room had a reputation for being a hangout for the best pool shooters in Dallas, so naturally I spent some time there. Usually I'd make a few bucks, and spend some time talking to Bunny, the owner. Bunny was an Elvis fanatic, and that's how the place got its name. Yeah, I was married, and there wasn't anything going on between us, but she was a really nice gal who ran a good place. Just fun to talk to.
One night I was sitting at the bar, having my second of my two beer limit, when Bunny started crying. I asked her what the problem was, thinking maybe she'd just broken up with her latest boyfriend, when she explained she was deep in debt to the mafia for gambling losses.
Yes, there is a mafia in Dallas. I know that because I knew the Capo and his son, who owned the Chateau, the most expensive restaurant in town. I'd done their carpet, and Donnie, the son, offered me an exchange for my $12,000 invoice a running tab. That meant I could treat my customers, and potential customers, to a fine meal at an exorbitant place, tips included. I jumped on it. Sent several architects and designers there, and turned that invoice into a profit shortly. Okay, I'll admit, that was sort of a sleazy way to get big contracts, but then, you have to remember I was a hustler back then. Over time I met several of their "associates", so yeah, they were mafia.
Getting back to Bunny. I asked her just how deep she was in, and she said nearly $20,000. Then she said something I didn't expect, would I give her $30,000 for her place? I told her I'd be back in the morning, and she needed to have her books available. Looking at her last year's CPA tax return, she was making very good money at The King's Room, but also apparently she was dumping every dollar and then some into her addiction.
I'm not an accountant, but I can read profit/loss sheets, and it seemed like a good deal. But, it would drastically curtail my other after hours activities, and some regular business time activities. Running two businesses so diametrically different would become a 14 hour a day job. What the hell, I loved shooting pool, enjoyed the clientele, and looked at it as a possibly non-profit hobby even if it was a screwy idea. With my partner/nephew's concurrence, I wrote myself a loan from the wood flooring company and bought the place.
It was a fairly trouble free private club, rarely a disturbance, and for several months I was my own bouncer. Not that I was a tough guy, but threatening to void their membership usually calmed things down. Then I didn't need to watch over tempers when I hired a 5'2" red headed manger/bartender. Totally fearless, I referred to her as my Geronimo toilet paper manager - didn't take any crap off of anyone. Over time even more pool sharks starting enjoying the place, as word spread there was a place where everyone could shoot their best games without having to worry about anyone getting upset over losing a few bucks, they were all hustlers. I had 8 tables that took $.50 to rack, and they stayed mostly full 10 hours a day. When I bought the place there were only 4 pool tables, and lots of regular tables with four chairs. I got rid of those and replaced them with tall two chair tables to make room for the money makers. It doesn't take long for good shooters to clear a table and dump another $.50 in. Who knew there was more money in pool tables than liquor? Accomplished pool shooters generally aren't big drinkers, so they didn't seem to mind too much our drinks were just a wee bit more expensive than other places.
After a couple years of running myself ragged, and finally agreeing with Sweet Bride that my real calling was contracting, I sold the place for a small profit.
It's gone now, don't know why. I look back on those times a some of the best days of my life. Met a lot of jerks, but they were well outweighed by the great people with great senses of humor and just a lot of fun to be around.
Oh, a piece of advice if anyone decides to own a bar - never, never ever, let anyone run a weekly tab. You'll never see them again.
