Earl Strickland, considered one of the best nine-ball pool players of all time, visited The Winchester Café Thursday to meet with local pool players and community leaders and give a demonstration of his skills.
But it wasn’t his first visit.
“The last time I was here was in 1984, and I was playing in a pool room,” he recalled in a conversation with reporters.
It so happened that there was a tournament.
“I go in there, and there were not too many people, but then it starts filling up with bikers.”
Strickland was a little nervous when one of the gang leaders took him aside and made an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“He looks at me and says, ‘I can see that I can’t beat you playing pool. What do you say we split the money?’ I looked around, and you could hear a pin drop. I said, ‘That sounds like a good idea to me!’”
He had a friendlier crowd this time.
Among those present were Mayor Jo Ellen Reed, who joined him at the pool table in the back of the dining room for a few rounds of trick shots that Strickland set up so that one shot would sink all the balls on the table.
The Winchester Café is expected to open next month as a diner serving breakfast and lunch. It will also serve as the set for filming at least three episodes of the award-winning series Finding Kindness.
The cafe opened its doors for a few hours July 16 for a free, ticketed event that included city officials, chamber members, representatives of the media and others, including some pool players who listened enthusiastically as the world champion known as “Earl the Pearl” regaled them with stories.
“Pool is the most competitive game I’ve ever seen,” he said. “You can play a nun and get scared.”
Strickland said pool, also known as pocket billiards, has been around as long as this country has and was spread overseas by American military servicemen. Unfortunately, he said, it has an undeserved reputation because it is often associated with gambling. Even the name pool refers to the collected prizes of pooled money.
He mentioned that his own hometown banned pool tables many years ago.
Strickland, 65, is from near Wilmington, North Carolina, as is Monty Hobbs, who, along with Valerie Smaldone, are the producers of the television series Just Do GOOD and partners in the restaurant.
The legendary player has won more than 100 championships, and once ran 11 consecutive racks against the great Nick Mannino during a PCA tournament in which he collected $1 million.
He will be featured in an upcoming television series, Grace the Table, in which Allison Fisher, the British pool champion, talks with Strickland and other top players, including Jeannette Lee and Ewa Laurance. It is produced by the Dirty Laundry Picture Company, another of Hobbs’ production companies. Hobbs is also a business partner and official brand ambassador for the Balabushka Cue Company, where he is developing a 40th anniversary documentary of the film Color of Money.
Photo gallery
For more about Finding Kindness and The Winchester Café, check out our podcast episode with Valery Smaldone, and while you’re at it, listen to some other recent episodes.
The Voices of Winchester Podcast brings your stories, our stories, & all of the voices of Winchester, Kentucky, to your ears. In each episode, your host Pete Koutoulas chats with the people who make our community unique. From the movers and shakers to the humble folks who help build the rich tapestry that is central Kentucky, we have it all.
The Voices of Winchester is brought to you by WinCity Media, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation based in Winchester, Kentucky. To learn how to help support free, independent, local journalism, visit www.wincitymedia.org. And be sure to check out our e‑zine at www.wincityvoices.org.
Welcome to the Voices of Winchester Podcast, where we dive into inspiring stories and community initiatives. In this episode, host Pete Koutoulas welcomes Valerie Smaldone, a producer and co-founder of Just Do Good Entertainment, to discuss her latest project: the show “Finding Kindness.” And the opening of a new eatery in downtown Winchester, The Winchester Café.
Valerie shares her journey from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina, and now to the Lexington and Winchester areas. Together with her partner Monty Hobbs, Valerie emphasizes the importance of highlighting charitable local businesses and the heartwarming stories behind them.
Never miss a thing with our FREE weekly newsletter.
Valerie is not just a producer; she has a rich background in media and entertainment, having worked on various projects that emphasize family-friendly and inspiring content. With a passion for showcasing the goodness in communities, she brings a unique perspective to her work.
Valerie elaborates on how “Finding Kindness” was born out of their shared mission to promote businesses that give back to their communities. The show aims to celebrate local heroes who, despite challenges, contribute positively to society. Each episode features a different location and a celebrity host, aiming to create engaging and heartfelt content.
The Winchester Café is set to open as a permanent fixture in downtown Winchester, offering Southern comfort food and serving as a mini-museum showcasing the entertainment work being done in the area. Valerie envisions it as a place where locals and visitors can enjoy good food and learn about the community’s involvement in the arts.
Valerie shares insights into upcoming episodes, including plans to film three episodes in Winchester. With a dedication to promoting small-town values and highlighting local businesses, the team aims to create content that resonates with viewers both in Kentucky and beyond.
