I've heard grumblings from grimy old school Mission residents that there has been a 'big problem' with a declining number of pool tables in the city. “Greedy bar owners ditch their tables to make room for more yupsters,” would be an appropriate paraphrasing of the point generally made.  Which, okay, even if true, and that's a big if, it is not like bars are out there pretending to be a charity or a civic rec room.  However, I get the general point: sometimes it is nice to grab a drink with friends, play some pool, and not have to worry about sharing the cues with the 10 other people on the chalkboard.  That's why god gave us Clooney's.

Regardless of the validity of point made by some veteran Missionites, I guess we can add Shotwell's to the list of bars that have ditched a pool table, as there's now a big paint-free slab of concrete where one of their former tables once stood.  While that may seem like a bummer, they still have one table in mighty fine condition and now there's plenty of room for my yupster friends and I to hang out.