General Info

In 1978, Don left art school with an MA in Painting and took a job at a local billiard factory with some fellow artists. Here he learned basic billiard repair and maintenance skills, but more importantly, discovered a fascination with the venerable, if sometimes decrepit old tables he encountered. After a five year stint at the factory, eventually becoming foreman, he left to start Bankshot Billiard. At this time, Don met E.J. Kroll, an octogenarian and 2nd generation local billiard mechanic whose father had worked for Brunswick-Balke-Collender around the turn of the ( 20th ) century in Albany NY. E.J. became Don's mentor and role-model where the old tables were concerned. Bankshot also gradually evolved from repair and service only to sales of new tables and eventually installing 10-25 table rooms throughout New York State. In 1994, Dave Grunenwald joined Bankshot Billiard. Dave had been employed at two bronze casting art foundries and his educational background was an MFA in Sculpture. Dave brought with him the technical expertise to do all types of three-dimensional repair and reproduction. A partnership was formed, Bankshot Antiques, and emphasis gradually and continually shifted from service and sales of new tables to acquiring and restoring antiques. Over the last 30 years, we've paid our dues and earned our credentials. Today, while Bankshot Antiques still maintains a relationship with the A. E. Schmidt Co of St. Louis " a manufacturer of traditionally crafted new tables "the vast majority of our time and energy is spent with the old tables " in our restoration shop, or on the road acquiring tables or delivering restored tables to their excited new owners.