The Rise of Hospitality Culture in Columbia
Booche’s Billiard Hall and Restaurant is one of Columbia's oldest establishments. Booche’s has a unique history, having opened in 1884 at 706 East Broadway. Some early advertisements say that Booche’s was a billiard hall as well as a cigar and tobacco distributor. Advertisements also indicate that it may have been a pipe repair shop. Booche’s moved around over the years. After its original location was replaced by the Hetzler Building in 1898 owner Paul Venable Booch moved to 918 East Broadway, which is now Blanc Studio. After that, the establishment moved to 922 East Broadway, then to 1001 East Broadway. The next location was on the second floor of the Virginia building above what is now tiger spirit. This location was very popular and successful for many years. The current location was opened in 1926 at 110 South Ninth Street.
Booche’s was very popular throughout its history, as students and residents of the area could go there to relax and unwind. Booche’s was also famous for their billiard academy, which drew some of the world's top billiard players at the time. During the 1919 to 1920 season Booche’s was represented by John (Red) Layton, the former Pocket Billiard champ of the world. He represented Booche’s at that year’s national tournament in Philadelphia. Other famous players like Chas C. Peterson took out advertisements saying things like “show me a shot I can’t make” to create publicity for the establishment. Booche’s often held tournaments as well as trickshot nights where people could come for the entertainment of fancy billiard shots.
Booche’s was so popular that other groups used its popularity to market their own goods. There were advertisements saying that tickets for things such as plane rides could be purchased at Booche’s. Booche’s also had the scores of all the MLB games updated every three innings; this was a luxury that not many places at the time had. Booche’s was and still is a well regarded and well respected Columbia establishment embedded in the community. Booche’s helped raise five hundred dollars along with a few other Columbia businesses in order to send the University band to St. Louis for the football game against Washington. Booche’s also gave weekly updates in the papers on matches that would be taking place that week as well as scores and updates from previous weeks.
Booche’s is a classic Columbia establishment. Anyone in Columbia should take the time to experience Booche’s if they have not. The atmosphere is still that of the past: a classic pool hall with classic food. Just make sure that if you want to play pool and have one of their famous burgers you better have cash because that is the only form of payment this classic Columbia establishment accepts.