Jessica harper laura adelmann jessica harper
Blue Cross sells Eagan building 5A MnDOT to close I-35E in Burnsville 5A Golf course redevelopment rejected 5A
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date ##, 2009 january 31, 2013
Volume 30, Number # VOLUME 33, NUMBER 49
Dakota County Tribune Since 1884
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Cueing up for fun
Photo by Jennifer Chick
Farmington Billiards owner Dan Rider plays on the snooker table he recently added to the pool hall at 933 Eighth St. It is a 1945 Brunswick Anniversary table refinished by one of Rider’s friends, and what he says is the only snooker table in the south metro area. Rider, 66, has been playing pool since college and bought the business in January 2010. He loves the challenge of the game and the opportunity to meet new people at his pool hall.
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Farmington Billiards is an entertaining retreat, no matter what the season
by Jennifer Chick
DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
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At Farmington Billiards, the pool tables draw people in, but it’s owner Dan Rider’s warm welcome that keeps them coming back. Rider and his wife, Barb, bought Farmington Billiards, 933 Eighth St., in January 2010, when Rider was looking for a way to spend his retirement. At that time, he was working for the Sara Lee Coffee and Tea Plant in St. Louis Park. He would work at the pool hall until 1 a.m., then get up at 5:30 a.m. to go to his other job. When the plant closed in February 2012, Rider found himself in that retirement phase he had first envisioned two years earlier. For Rider, owning Farmington Billiards was a natural progression. A love of math led Rider to earn a college degree in mathematics, and pool played into those strengths. “I’ve been playing pool since college,” the 66-year-old Rider said, “and I used to run pool leagues in southern Minnesota. I like the geometry of it, the strategy of it. It’s a sport you can play all your life. My goal is to be at the national tournament in Vegas and competing when I’m 100.” When he heard Farmington Billiards was for sale, he thought the place was a natural fit. The game catered to his mathematics prowess, and the customers fit his friendly personality. Regulars Joe and Karen McCauley of Farmington play there several nights each week. Karen said it makes a difference when the owner greets you at the door. Every time his front door opens with a ding, Rider makes sure he greets the customers, whether they are regulars like the McCauleys, or first-timers. The McCauleys’ friends, Tony and Carol Malbury, also play at Farmington Billiards regularly because of the atmosphere. “I appreciate Dan’s zest for trying to get people in here and promote the game of pool,” Carol said. Leagues play Sunday through Thursday nights, with tournaments on Friday and Saturdays. Leagues have summer, fall and
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winter sessions. Spots are still available evLebanese ery night in the winter session, which just restaurant in started a few weeks ago. Burnsville aims to attract those Since Rider bought the business, he has unfamiliar with been building up the leagues, bringing in the country’s players from as far away as Mankato and cuisine. Owatonna. Recently, people drove from MIKE New Prague to play on the new 5-foot by 2A AYOUB 10-foot snooker table, a 1945 Brunswick Anniversary table. Rider’s friend refinished the table and news was looking for a place where it would be appreciated. Rider offered to put it at Farmington Billiards, where it could draw in inThe Hastings city terested customers. He said his is the only administrator snooker table on the south side of the metro. will move his “We just keep trying to build the busioff ice across the ness,” Rider said. county after he Much of his marketing comes through became Eagan’s Facebook and ads at the local liquor stores. choice. dave Farmington Billiards is one of only two 2A osberg pool halls in the area. The other is located in Burnsville. Every year, he hosts the “Rider Cup,” where teams play golf in the morning and then shoot pool in the afternoon. forum On Saturday, Feb. 9, the annual Minnesota Pool Association’s Mixed Scotch Doubles Tournament will play at Farmington The Dakota Billiards. County Last Tuesday night found several teams community has playing in the Advanced League at Farmshown great ington Billiards. Mark Weaver of Inver support for helping Grove Heights was one of those players. He those recover from domestic violence. had recently returned to the sport after a ann long hiatus. 4A sheridan “Dan was so nice right off the bat, and he reminded me of what I liked about pool, which was the getting out and playing pool dakota arts with your buddies,” he said. Weaver is in sales and says playing pool is a great way to relax after a stressful day. Italian pianist “You can forget about everything stressRoberto Plano will ful in line and just zone out on the game,” join the Dakota said Josh Halverson of Northfield, another Symphony this Valley week news Advanced League player. for a concert on Code Type: UPC Version A Stats: 0 Former owner Larry Jones does miss theCustomer: 3242-ECM Publishers Feb. 10 Order #: P34915-017 MAG:in 1.00 kids who used to congregate at Farmington P.O. #: BWA: 0.0020 Burnsville. By: Symbol Width: 1.4690 Billiards. It used to be a place where theyOrdered roberto Polarity: Positive Up Symbol Height: 1.0200 Flexo Width: Page 0.0000 Back would meet to set plans for later, he said.Date Run: 05/29/2002plano Now, texting has taken away the need to meet up. But Rider said a few kids still play at Farmington Billiards. For instance, April Larson, 12, of Bloomington, has been playing in the Wednesday night league. She traveled to Germany in December to compete in the world youth championships. Although with 16 pool tables and one snooker table, pool play is the main focus of 8 34493 00023 6 the business, Rider also serves pizza and hot dogs. He is in the process of upgrading his liquor license to strong beer and wine. “I love coming down here,” Joe McCauley said. “It’s a great atmosphere. Everybody gets along with everybody. We’re all friends. General 952-894-1111 At the end of the night, you shake hands and Distribution 952-846-2070 everybody had a good time.” Advertising 952-846-2011 For more information about leagues and upcoming tournaments, contact Rider at (612) 226-7665.