about us
Here you will find a little bit of insight about us and our company. How did you get started in the pool table business?
In 1980, at the tender age of 15, I began working for George's Pool Tables, a company located behind my home in St. Petersburg, Florida. As an assistant to the owner, my initial duties involved helping with the movement and setup of pool tables. During downtime, I tidied up the shop—a fitting job for a 15-year-old. In my second year, George taught me the art of setting up and refelting pool tables, and by year's end, I was refelting independently. Over the following years, I honed my skills in every facet of the billiard business alongside George, and it was during this period that I met my wonderful wife, Cheri. Fast forward five years to 1985, bolstered by the encouragement from Craftmaster Pool Tables in Clearwater, Florida, Cheri and I launched our own venture. At Craftmaster's suggestion, we named it "Joe's Pool Table Repair"—not the catchiest of names, but it was descriptive. As time passed, I collaborated with renowned retailers in the billiards sector, including Robertson Billiard Supply in Tampa, Florida Billiards in Orlando, and Aurora Road Billiards in Melbourne.
Our business also provided services for prominent moving companies like Allied Van Lines, United Van Lines, Atlas, and North American Van Lines. Over the years, seeking new environments, we relocated our business several times. We've experienced the rural charm of Brooksville, FL, the urban bustle of Orlando, FL, and now reside on the scenic Space Coast. Despite our numerous relocations within this beautiful state, we've maintained our customer base. The high quality of our service and meticulous attention to detail ensure our customers remain loyal, regardless of distance.
What role do your wife and son play within the business?
I've always said that Cheri is the "brains" of our business. She manages all the bookkeeping, which includes scheduling jobs, procuring inventory, and updating our website and social media. She also ensures that our accounts receivable and payable are up-to-date. If you call in the morning, you'll likely speak with Cheri, who can typically answer any questions you might have. Besides her role in our business, she's a compassionate Florida State Certified Paramedic who volunteers at a local horse rescue in her free time. To say she's busy is an understatement. She's truly my better half and indispensable to our business's success; I couldn't do it without her! Our son Joe has been involved in the business since he was able to hold a wrench. By age 7, he was already assisting his dad in assembling pool tables. He plays a crucial role as a partner in our business, and we plan to pass the reins to him in the coming years.
What do you like most about your job? Meeting new people, providing them with exceptional customer service, and above all, giving them the opportunity to create cherished family memories around their pool table is a rewarding experience.
Why does your work stand out from your competitors?While I refrain from speaking negatively about our competitors, I am confident that our work stands on its own merit. We take great pride in the services we offer, often emphasizing that "we deliver quality work with a personal touch." What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession? The physical demands are significant. It's not just a matter of lifting and moving a pool table. Occasionally, we're asked to move pool tables upstairs, and with each slate weighing over 150 pounds, it can be a strenuous task. Additionally, the intense Florida summer heat can be overwhelming; moving a pool table when the heat index reaches 103 degrees can be exhausting. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients. Moving pool tables, Re-felting pool tables, Setting up pool tables. Restoring pool tables.
What questions do your customers most commonly ask you? "Do you need to completely disassemble a table to move it?" For a home pool table, the answer is yes. It's a widespread misconception that pool tables can be moved as a single piece. However, attempting this not only risks damaging the table but also poses a risk of personal injury.
What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years that will change your line of business? The latest trend is custom logo pool table felt. You can customize your pool table with a felt featuring your favorite football team's logo, a picture of your pet, or any design you envision. While it's an exciting idea, it comes with a high cost, and we generally advise our customers to reconsider. This is because the cloth is polyester, not the wool blend used for standard pool table felt, affecting the game's playability. We recommend opting for a pool table cover adorned with your preferred sports team's logo instead. This alternative allows you to enjoy both a high-quality playing surface and your favorite team's emblem without compromise. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out? Reach out and speak to us directly; we're here to address any inquiries you may have. Purchasing a pool table is akin to purchasing a vehicle. Be clear about what you want, your budget, and above all, ensure you have adequate space for it.
What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you? Seek out years of experience, ensure guarantees, ask for references, and demand professionalism. Engage with the company's owners; do they make you feel valued? Our business prides itself on adding a personal touch and ensuring our customers never feel like just another number. Given the significant investment in purchasing a pool table, you deserve exceptional service during its setup or relocation.
What do you like most about your job? Meeting new people, providing them with exceptional customer service, and above all, giving them the opportunity to create cherished family memories around their pool table is a rewarding experience.
Why does your work stand out from your competitors?While I refrain from speaking negatively about our competitors, I am confident that our work stands on its own merit. We take great pride in the services we offer, often emphasizing that "we deliver quality work with a personal touch." What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession? The physical demands are significant. It's not just a matter of lifting and moving a pool table. Occasionally, we're asked to move pool tables upstairs, and with each slate weighing over 150 pounds, it can be a strenuous task. Additionally, the intense Florida summer heat can be overwhelming; moving a pool table when the heat index reaches 103 degrees can be exhausting. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients. Moving pool tables, Re-felting pool tables, Setting up pool tables. Restoring pool tables.
What questions do your customers most commonly ask you? "Do you need to completely disassemble a table to move it?" For a home pool table, the answer is yes. It's a widespread misconception that pool tables can be moved as a single piece. However, attempting this not only risks damaging the table but also poses a risk of personal injury.
What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years that will change your line of business? The latest trend is custom logo pool table felt. You can customize your pool table with a felt featuring your favorite football team's logo, a picture of your pet, or any design you envision. While it's an exciting idea, it comes with a high cost, and we generally advise our customers to reconsider. This is because the cloth is polyester, not the wool blend used for standard pool table felt, affecting the game's playability. We recommend opting for a pool table cover adorned with your preferred sports team's logo instead. This alternative allows you to enjoy both a high-quality playing surface and your favorite team's emblem without compromise. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out? Reach out and speak to us directly; we're here to address any inquiries you may have. Purchasing a pool table is akin to purchasing a vehicle. Be clear about what you want, your budget, and above all, ensure you have adequate space for it.
What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you? Seek out years of experience, ensure guarantees, ask for references, and demand professionalism. Engage with the company's owners; do they make you feel valued? Our business prides itself on adding a personal touch and ensuring our customers never feel like just another number. Given the significant investment in purchasing a pool table, you deserve exceptional service during its setup or relocation.