Game on…The Break Room hoping to hit bullseye as area’s new hangout

By MALLORY STRICKLAND
Dispatch Staff
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In a part of the county where options have often been scarce for families and teens, Scott Hulsey is bringing something new: a clean, smoke-free game hall and eatery designed for everyone—whether you’re in the mood for games or just a toasted sandwich and a soda.
Hulsey, who has a longtime passion for billiards and has competed in pool tournaments of all sorts, said he wanted to create a space that welcomes both experienced players and anyone simply looking for something to do.
“Everybody doesn’t play pool, so we wanted something for most anybody,” he said. “That’s why we got the dart boards, shuffleboards and foosball tables too.”
His fiancée Kelly has also played a key role in the project. “My fiancée Kelly is a big supporter and help for me,” Hulsey said.
The Break Room hasn’t officially opened, but over the past weekend, the couple hosted a small, last-minute pool tournament at the space, drawing visitors from the coast.
“We had several people from the coast that came up, and it was a last-minute thing,” Hulsey said. “I thought it went really well.”
Hulsey said the idea for The Break Room has been on his mind for years, driven by a desire to give younger people—and the community at large—more to do.
“It’s something I’ve thought about for years around here, because there’s nothing in this area for anybody to do, especially younger people and teenagers,” he said.
“I want a nice, clean place that anybody can go in—no smoking, bring your kids and hang out,” Hulsey added.
The space will eventually offer homemade pizzas, toasted sandwiches, paninis and burgers. For now, they’re limited to pre-packaged snacks and drinks until they clear final inspections.
“We are good on everything else. We can open for all the games and stuff—we just can’t serve or cook food,” Hulsey said. “We can sell snacks and pre-made stuff.”
Televisions are already mounted, and Hulsey said the plan is for The Break Room to become a place where people can watch games—football, baseball, basketball—and enjoy a drink or a bite to eat.
“We even have TVs so you can come out and watch games and have a beer and something to eat,” he said.
The building, a former general store, restaurant and auction house, became available after Hulsey had spent more than three years searching for the right spot.
“We’ve been looking for the right location for a little over three years,” he said. “This building came available, and we know the owners, so we made it happen.”
Though Hulsey has traveled across the country for pool tournaments—including the APA Nationals in Las Vegas—this is his first time stepping into the restaurant and entertainment business.
“None of us have ever been in the restaurant business, so that’s been a learning experience—figuring everything out, from drains to electrical,” he said. “We’re just waiting on the health inspector now so we can really open.”
Even without a grand opening date set, the response has already been overwhelmingly positive.
“We’re getting such good feedback from the community,” Hulsey said. “It’s turning out to be a lot bigger and better than we ever imagined.”
While they’re not officially advertising that they’re open, Hulsey said they’re not turning anyone away.
“We’re not advertising being open, but we aren’t turning people away that want to come in,” he said. “If anyone wants to come in right now and play games and have a snack, we’re all here for it.”
A full grand opening is in the works and will include neighboring businesses in the celebration.
“We don’t have a date yet, but we are planning a big event for the grand opening,” Hulsey said. “It’ll include all of our neighbors here too.”