Cheers to 50 years

Local landmark, Family Billiards & Restaurant, opened in 1974, and continues to capture the essence of small-town charm 

BY KELLY RODAMER

Sweet Owen Contributor

"Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came." When Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo performed this song for the popular television show Cheers, they captured the essence of the heart of small-town establishments across the country. Family Billiards & Restaurant is no exception.

For 50 years, Family Billiards, commonly known as the Pool Room or Pool Hall, has served Owen County with the mission to create a gathering place where families feel comfortable sending their kids and cultivating relationships that help to proliferate small-town charm. 

Ralph and Patsy Toole opened the doors to the Pool Room in September 1974. They may not have known it then, but it was the start of a legacy. No other restaurant in town encouraged the lingering atmosphere, welcomed families with affordable pricing, and emphasized "doing life together" as the Pool Room did. 

Over the decades, minor changes were made to the building, menu, and ownership, but the mission never wavered.

Native Owen countian Ginger Davis recalls working for Ralph and Patsy in the 1990s. Unbeknown to her, she was an aspiring business owner and the lessons she learned working at the Pool Room would carry forward to her many ventures today. 

"I learned so much in my time waitressing at the Pool Room," Davis said. "I remember that Ralph refused to buy a calculator for us. For the longest time, he insisted we learn how to count back money on our own. It's a skill I still use today, and often times, I can be quicker than a calculator. It's one of the many things I am thankful for from my time there."

Both Davis and Shawna Arrowood, a former waitress and current owner of Family Billiards, fondly remember days when the Pool Room was considered the place to be for Owen County students. Buses would drop kids off straight from school, athletic teams and the band would meet before games, and families would gather for post-game meals. 

"There was a time, not too long ago, when the Pool Room was a place where kids would come after school," Arrowood remembers. "They'd get a snack, play some games, hang out, and then, when their parents got off work, they'd get picked up. It was a great time to get to know the kids, share in their lives, and be a part of the community."

When current owners Alfred and Shawna Arrowood took control of Family Billiards from Ralph and Patsy in 2009, they resolved to maintain the integrity of the legacy that had been built around Ralph Burgers, milkshakes, fries, and soda—dole out life lessons and maintain the small town welcoming atmosphere that the Tooles had worked so hard to build. 

Denise Humphries of Owen County shares that when her daughter, Maddie, was waitressing for Alfred and Shawna, she had a regular group of customers she referred to as her "granddad posse." They would perch on the counter stools, sip coffee, joke with Alfred, and dish out life advice to the young wait staff. 

"I would tell them all the time not to hold back, to tell her how rough the real world is going to be on her, and to occasionally reinforce that her mama does know a thing or two," Humphries shared. "The granddad posse took her words to heart and helped shape Maddie into the woman she is today."

Regular customers like the granddad posse encourage and motivate the Arrowoods on hard days. During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, Family Billiards closely monitored state regulations on serving and, for months, operated as a carry-out-only business. 

"It was difficult, but we got through," Alfred said. "First, we would meet people at the doors with their food. Then we were able to have them come in to get it."

"The people are what keeps us going," Shawna added. "Not being around our regulars was so hard. They're part of what makes this place feel like home."

Shawna Arrowood has been a part of the Pool Room legacy since 1985. She started behind the counter, and her sole task was to serve ice cream. Her role quickly expanded to waitressing, and she and Alfred eventually became the owners of Family Billiards.

"I've spent most of my adult life here, and I somehow convinced this poor guy to come along with me," Shawna joked, playfully jabbing Alfred. "We love it."

The Arrowoods have made the Pool Room like home, splitting shifts on weekdays and using Sunday afternoons to prep for the week. Alfred can often be seen working the grill or chatting with the morning regulars while Shawna comes in for the afternoon and closing shifts. Both feel it's important to be hands-on so that the vision and integrity of Family Billiards are maintained.

Their hands-on approach has proven fruitful as the business has been consistent, even with inflation keeping more families from enjoying dining outside of their homes. 

"We try to keep our prices as low as possible," Alfred said. "The Pool Room was started to be a place for families to come and be without breaking the bank. We hope people understand that sometimes we have to raise prices, but we will always go above and beyond to make sure we're catering to our customers and doing right by them." 

"We do our best to spoil them," Shawna laughed. "We will personalize orders and ensure they have exactly what they need." 

Part of the Pool Room's charm is keeping as many ingredients local and fresh as possible. The Arrowoods source local meat and produce as often as they can. They are currently offering meat from Whobrey Farm and using local farmers for their vegetables. 

Whether you're stopping in after the homecoming parade for a milkshake with the entire county, enjoying a quiet breakfast with Alfred, or an evening dinner with Shawna, the Pool Room is a place where all are welcome and made to feel like family. Don't be surprised if they have your order memorized after you stop in a few times. After all, Family Billiards is a place "where everyone knows your name and is glad you came."