The Pool Table Arrived!!

Thursday was pool table day. The company we worked with to get the pool table delivered and set up was Cedar Rapid Billiards. They picked up the pool table at 6 am in the morning and was to our house shortly after 8 am.

We had Craig and Karl lined up to help unload. Karl did a couple of quick things and was on his way…Craig helped a little longer.

The legs got set up…the top got put on, and Craig was headed to work.

Don, the owner of Cedar Rapids Billiards, worked to get the table set up. He was meticulous with his work. He spent about 6 hours here setting everything up. Rick is still off work since his carpal tunnel surgery, so he chatted with Don and learned a lot about his business.

Don got into pool table work after making two tables in his high school shop class. He got a job in a factory and did that for a few years. On the side, he moved pool tables. Eventually he made a name for himself and was able to work with pool tables full time.

He seriously does amazing work. Here he was stretching the felt to get it in place.

Here he was putting in the final touches.

If I remember right, Don has been doing this for 35 years.

Don works with his wife. She manages the schedule and the storefront. He said his business is thriving as he often moves pool tables 5 days a week. At times, even 6-7. He is based out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A lot of his business is from Iowa, but he does take jobs out of state. He charges a per-mile fee, so he really doesn’t mind traveling.

Don was so friendly and nice. We were totally impressed with him and his work.

After Don left, Rick and I had to try it out.

No surprise, we love it. Rick has been out of commission playing darts so it was nice to get the pool table. Rick can play, but I’m sure he’ll be better once the wrapping comes off his wrist. For now, he can play pretty well.

I’m happy to say my old pool playing skills weren’t as far gone as I originally thought. My parents had a pool table in the dining room when I was little. When I got older, they did a house remodel and fixed the basement up. We got a new pool table then. I don’t remember a big move with someone like Don, but it likely happened when I was at school or something.

I had friends over, and we played pool often. It’s one of my favorite high school memories.

Now it’s time to make some new memories with Rick. I’ve won a few games. I’m excited about that!!

Of course…now we have something new on our list that we need…a lamp above the pool table!!

We really want a traditional one like this. We’ve been looking on Marketplace to try to find one.

We enjoy a hunt so that’s okay. The garage is getting closer to how we’d like it to be. I’ll have to take some pictures and give you a tour…soon, I hope.