Status Update #1:

ByChristopher Patrick Johnson

Current Bottleneck: Health Department

The Waiting is the Hardest Part.

I can’t wait to get open. This poker room is something I’ve wanted for a long time.

I’ve dreamt about some version of this for probably 15 years. It’s hard to admit to yourself when the dream is far afield of what you’re really doing.

The best job I ever had was those jobs we had in our 20s, going from restaurant to restaurant. Getting food and service out there no matter what. Working restaurants like Bravo, Rapoli’s, Olive Garden, Rosie O’Grady, and Bertucci’s Pizza. The grind. The house vs. the world. Trying to make people happy and get food out fast. Selling drinks, fighting through idiot management decisions.

In my (late) 40s, I’m trying to recreate that for myself and for the people who hitch their star to me. I remember the feeling along with being young. It is glorious.

Before we start, there are so many things to wait on.

The Health Department.

The Gambling Commission (which is hanging on by the skin of its teeth).

Getting plans drawn.

City approval.

Contractors who don’t bother to bid on time.

Chips.

Chairs. (Oh my god, those are expensive)

Tables.

All of it adds time, and time is the enemy of us all. It waits for nobody.

So here’s where we are:

License Status

Current bottleneck: Health.

Health: Application in. Expected Response: September 15th.
Gaming: Application in (Requires Health or Liquor Approval) Expected Response: October 1:
Liquor: Application In (Requires Kennewick). Expected Response: September 15th.
City of Kennewick: Not Sent / Waiting on Health (will be quick).

Tri Cities Poker Club Layout

Building Status

Plans: Designed by Miles at Locus
Contractor: Selected (will be announced when materials are finalized.)
Materials List: Selected will be locally sourced from in-stock materials.

Staff Status

I’m building a staff. I have some good dealers—I could probably use 1-2 more, but I can get by with what’s around now. I’m looking for more. I have a server and could use more. That’ll come easily enough.

Restaurant Status:

We’re opening with a very simple menu. 2 pizza ovens and 4 air fryers, and a bar. We’ll expand once we’re open and do this right. We’re still going to serve delicious food in the meantime.

Menu: Submitted to Health Dept.
Equipment: I will Order Soon, mostly two pizza ovens & four ventless air fryers I already have some thoughts on how that will all work.

Gaming Equipment and Materials Status:

Chips: Not yet ordered.
Tables: Designed, not ordered
Chairs: Ugh, this is going to be a problem.

There is more miscellaneous stuff to do.

  • Finish this site.
  • Get the rewards program rolling.
  • Get the Ambassadors program rolling.
  • Get a marketing plan completed.
  • Get the operations manual done.

I’m here for it. I’m into it.

The next update comes in a week.