Lincoln/Logan County Chamber welcomes Café Billiards to the business community

[July 12, 2017]  LINCOLN - On Monday morning, the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce, Chamber ambassadors and representatives for the Logan County Tourism Bureau and city of Lincoln welcomed Café Billiards to the community with a Chamber Ribbon Cut.

Café Billiards is located at 1230 Fifth Street, the former Al's Main Event location in Lincoln, and is owned and managed by Cathy Carlson. Carlson receives help and support from her family including her brother John who owns a companion business; GC-Cue Billiards Academy at the same location as the restaurant and her brother Jack who was on hand Monday to help lead tours of the restaurant.

Café Billiards hosts a Beer Garden in the warm weather. In that area, tables and chairs may be set up for dining outside, and a bags game is set up for players. A stage area offers space for live entertainment, and the north part of the garden can be cleared of tables and chairs to make a dance floor.

Inside the French doors, guests can eat lunch at the bar area or at a table. Carlson opens the restaurant at 11 a.m. each morning for lunch and remains open throughout the day and into the night. Items on the menu include her schnitzel bites that she shared with guests at the Monday ribbon cut.

A large room is dedicated to GC-Cue Billiards Academy for billiards or ‘pool' with six tables set up including one coin operated table. Jack Carlson explained that John has brought Pool leagues into the restaurant and are working with Ed Tipton of Clinton to offer leagues approved through the American Pool Association. They also will be offering pool lessons for those who wish to learn.

John, Cathy, and Jack Carlson

Jack led the group into the VIP lounge area, which is age restricted. The area features a bar and five video gaming stations for guests’ enjoyment. Jack noted that during the day, Cathy is working to offer a family friendly environment where folks can come with their kids, enjoy a meal, and play a game or two of pool. In the evening hours, the restaurant caters to a more adult age group.

On hand for the ribbon cut were members of the Chamber staff; director Cathy Wilhite with office administrators Kari Adams and Tina Rusk and Chamber Ambassador Amanda Kollman; Logan County Tourism Director Cris Wibben with staff member Morgan Gleason; Lincoln Mayor Seth Goodman, Alderman Rick Hoefle, and friends and family of the Carlson’s.

Wilhite kicked off the cut by welcoming everyone and expressing appreciation to Cathy Carlson for her investment in the Lincoln business community. Goodman echoed the sentiment saying it was good to see a new business growing and thriving in town. Wibben also spoke saying that having the café with the offering of a fun family friendly activity was an asset to the community as it gave everyone, including visitors to Lincoln, another entertainment option.

After a few posed pictures, Cathy Carlson snipped the ribbon on the new establishment. She then invited everyone in for snacks prepared by the Café kitchen. Everyone enjoyed Schnitzel bites to start, then sampled bites of the special made Café burgers.

[Nila Smith]