When New York State began its reopening process last summer, David Pinkston and Ruth Platt of Newburgh’s Gallery Billiards waited for the green light to open the doors of their pool hall. Towards phase three and four of the reopening process, they expected to be included. However, it wasn’t until early March that the state finally announced these establishments can open state-wide.

Gallery Billiards has been owned by the pair since October 2001, serving the entire Orange County and mid-Hudson region. Before the pandemic, it held leagues, tournaments and provided recreation for billiards which was so successful they were considering a second location. The location had special events that invited pro-billiard players, held charity events and was even used for film sets. Inside the pool hall is a full bar with a small menu as well.

“We put on professional exhibitions and always try to grow the sport in our area,” said Pinkston.

Just like most others, when the pandemic hit Platt and Pinkston imagined it would be a couple of months at most before they could open up again. Throughout the entire time of being closed, and more specifically over the summer when New York State started reopening, the pair spent long hours calling local and state offices to see when pool halls would be allowed to reopen.

“There were at least four different times we thought we were going to be open and spent money and prepared for that only to find out sometimes the day before that we weren’t included in the current guidelines,” said Pinkston. “We called different government offices that led to different answers. You could call one office and they said you’d be okay to open and another said you couldn’t.”

With bowling (which has almost exactly the same protocols with rental equipment) being allowed to operate since August 24, Platt suggested the reason they weren’t included then was because of the old stigma around pool halls of being “dirty places or places that are less wholesome,” when in fact “it’s not that way.” Platt and Pinkston pride Gallery Billiards on being an establishment that is catered towards families and growing the game of pool. On the other hand, Pinkston wondered if it was because they weren’t a big enough industry. Other possibilities on why they may have not been able to open was because of the cloth tables, even though casinos were open since September 9.

“I know all in our industry thought we’d be included when bowling alleys reopened,” said Pinkston. “We couldn’t get a specific reason why we weren’t included, so there was nothing to fight. Our industry doesn’t have its own classification like bowling and we were left in the wind.”

“It’s so difficult watching other businesses reopen, when we’re told our business is less safe to be in, when you come to our room, you rent a square footage of space that’s well beyond what you get at a restaurant” said Platt. “To me, that’s safer.”

While they’re excited about the long awaited reopening, Platt and Pinkston are still weary about what’s to come and having to potentially be shut down again depending on which way the COVID-19 pandemic goes. Platt described it as feeling like they’re starting over, despite being in business for 20 years. When they had to shut down, they switched gears to make money off of its online merchandise store, repainted and rearranged inside, and prepared for the eventual reopening. Gallery Billiards also offers a small retail selection and cue stick repairs that Platt fixes herself.

“We changed the layout to create more space between the tables, have brand new carpet, brand new paint, brand new artwork going up on the walls, the bar is refinished,” said Pinkston. “If you walked in you’d think it’s a new business. We’re trying to do everything to make people feel safe and comfortable.”

Gallery Billiards, located at 154 North Plank Road, is currently open between 12 and 11 p.m. Wednesday through Monday and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesdays. COVID-19 protocols are required, like wearing a face mask, social distancing and limited capacity. Player rates run from $6 per hour for one player, $11 per hour for two players, $13 per hour for three players and $16 per hour for four players. For more information, visit gallerybilliards.com or call 845-565-1994.

“We are still hopeful,” said Platt. “We wouldn’t be putting in everything we have into it if we didn’t believe it could come back. We need the support of everyone to help us get through.”