Sophisticated Fun in Brookfield
And then there's the scale-if someone like Bill Gates has a rec room in his house, it might probably resemble the Recreation Showroom.
The spacious retail shop displays at least a dozen top quality pool tables. Fine, leather-trimmed poker tables are lined up near the variety of modern, wooden bars. In the back of the showroom, one can find dart boards, air hockey tables, ping pong tables, bumper pool tables and a lineup of old school arcade games-such as Donkey Kong and Super Mario Brothers-juxtaposed against some more contemporary entertainments.
Adjacent to that section of the store is home theater seating, the type of reclining couches that have pull out cup holders and hideaway compartments. And off to the side is the patio furniture, the latest inventory addition to the 30-year-old Recreation Showroom business, which now sells outdoor tables large enough to seat 10, or a lazy man's hammock that is built just for two.
Indeed, the business, run by Lynne Abrams and her husband, David Cornwall, specializes in a wide variety of accessories for the rec room-or, to use the latest architectural nomenclature, the "man cave."
There is even barroom-style d cor, such as signs that read "Pool is not a matter of life and death, it is much more important than that," or the archetypal paintings of dogs playing poker.
In one sense, the Recreation Showroom sells all the most important household furniture, at least for the home-owning husband who loves to entertain. And this vast man cave selection, according to Ms. Abrams, is what keeps the people coming back.
"We have evolved. When we first opened, we only sold pool tables, so we'd sell one and never see the person again. Now we sell the overhead lights, the bar, the stools and the whole gamut," said Ms. Abrams. "We used to be a place for unfinished basements, but now we can furnish your basement. "
That evolution has occurred over a 30-year period. In 1978, Ms. Abrams' father, a designer and builder of billiard tables, opened his first retail store in West Haven. That business grew and moved locations a few times, eventually finding its way to its current 20,000-square-foot showroom, office and warehouse in Orange.
As the business grew, and Ms. Abrams took it over with her husband, whom she married in 1992, it was decided that the Greater Danbury area would be a strategic market, given the heavy New York traffic. So, a little more than 10 years ago, the Recreation Showroom opened its second store in Brookfield, just a few hundred yards north of the Danbury line.
Eventually, this "recession-proof business," as Ms. Abrams puts it, needed to expand in Brookfield. Last year, it moved across the plaza to a space large enough to allow for a far greater supply of outdoor patio furniture, a product that fits nicely into the recreational inventory list.
How is it that Ms. Abrams' business can keep growing, especially at a time when most businesses are tightening their belts?
"People aren't traveling as much anymore," Ms. Abrams states, matter-of-factly.
With the cost of gasoline and airline travel, fewer folks are budgeting for big trips this summer, but they still want to have family fun. With this kind of merchandise, the homeowner can put money down on a permanent vacation in their basement, bonus room or back patio.
There is even a word for this trend, "staycation," and it is a beneficial movement for places like the Recreation Showroom.
Ms. Abrams calls her business the largest of its kind in the state, as well as-and even she sort of chuckles at this distinguished honor-the largest dart distributor in the Northeast.
Jason McKenna, a Sherman resident browsing in the store this week, noted that he would never see a recreation store of this magnitude in his native Australia.
"I'm so impressed with this place. Everything you need, you can find it here," said Mr. McKenna.
That endorsement, it should be noted, was unsolicited. The products on offer are in such demand that the Recreation Showroom supplies homes, schools and even senior citizens centers throughout New York and New England with its quality billiard tables and accessories.
At the Mohegan Sun casino's televised billiard competition, the Recreation Showroom's pool tables are the ones the professionals are seen shooting playing on.
All high end designs, some of the pool tables feature Art Deco designs, while others offer more traditional styles, recalling the billiard games engaged in by 19th-century aristocratic gentlemen. Such designs include the Lord Nelson (carved lions' heads in the base), the St. Andrew's (clawed foot clutching a ball) or the Queen Ann (legs equipped with a partial hourglass shape).
Clients can also custom design a pool table to their own choosing. The Recreation Showroom will even deliver it.
As for Ms. Abrams, she never plays pool, though she notes that her husband and 6-year-old son, Jayden, are both pretty good.
Even though she has no interest in the sport, her lifetime family business has taught her a lot. She knows enough to engage Mr. McKenna in a conversation about snooker, a British version of billiards that is played on a 12-foot long table.
The Recreation Showroom does its best to stay away from products that aren't made and manufactured in the United States. Ms. Abrams claims about 90 percent of her merchandise is built in this country, which is of better quality, lasts longer and as a result, is more ecologically friendly.
The business is located near the corner of Federal Road and Candlewood Lake Road in Brookfield. The phone number is 203-740-0014 and the Web site is www.recreationshowroom.com.
Shenzhen Municipal Industry and Trade Co., Ltd. in Ottawa, January 24, 2005 to set up, mainly engaged in wood products, iron products, furniture, plastic products, electronic products and accessories procurement and other domestic business, material supply and marketing, business Import and export business; more
Beijing
Powered all products authorized for Disney, including the plush doll series, beautiful home, fashion bags, cultural and sports supplies, gardening series, of Decoration, picture frames, the other, scarves and gloves as, a genuine anti-counterfeiting trademarks, spot supply, Kuandaofahuo. Q
Guangdong
We paint for cultural, educational supplies Heshan Lung Yi Co., Ltd. is specialized in producing children s educational products business, the company has sophisticated technology development team, a sound management system, is a collection development, design, production and marketing in one of the
Beijing
Wholesale and retail genuine Disney cartoon alarm clock, wall clock manufacturers: days when the U.S. company was founded in 1990, is a professional development, design, production, export sales of all kinds of alarm the Taiwan-funded enterprises. Huangjiang factory in Dongguan, covers an area of 110
Beijing
I voip companies operating Internet phone (010-51282572)-Tang is the next generation communications network communications direction for the development of the hi-tech enterprises, companies grasp the future of multimedia communication technology direction for the development, production and research
Guangdong
We paint for cultural, educational supplies Heshan Lung Yi Co., Ltd. is specialized in producing children s educational products business, the company has sophisticated technology development team, a sound management system, is a collection development, design, production and marketing in one of the
Henan
I plant mainly produces horizontal legislation, steam boilers, pressure hot water boiler, conducting oil furnace, hot stove, coal gasification boilers, gas-fired boiler fuel, energy-saving Chalu, no automatic water tower for several Gezhongfeibiao products Design and manufacturing. 130737
Shandong
Orlando animation magic card magic magic of the animated cards students earned money of the card production system using high-tech means to do so, just to the market that is popular for sale, from all kinds of painting cards and a CD-ROM form, will be used only when the dish - Gently push and pull, on the screen is always bustling
Shandong
The plush baby wet remind Introduction: Large-plush toys, more lovely and security. As long as infants and young children will have a urine can be a wonderful music to remind her mother to child timely replacement of diapers, baby skin dry and to maintain the good health of babies. Wholesale
Shandong
We paint for cultural, educational supplies Heshan Lung Yi Co., Ltd. is specialized in producing children s educational products business, the company has sophisticated technology development team, a sound management system, is a collection development, design, production and marketing in one of the
Guangdong
How much money the construction site -698 yuan building site as long as customers, not profit: to reduce the difficulty of Internet companies, enterprises to recognize the benefits of e-commerce! You have a Web site? You satisfied with the current page? Your attitude of service providers
Hebei
We grate conducting oil for energy-saving horizontal furnace oil, coal, gas conducting oil furnace Wuqiao County of conducting oil furnace limited liability company located in the civilized world dominated the first rural ---- Wuqiao Acrobatics. The first batch of countries to the Ministry of Labor
Guangdong
We paint for cultural, educational supplies Heshan Lung Yi Co., Ltd. is specialized in producing children s educational products business, the company has sophisticated technology development team, a sound management system, is a collection development, design, production and marketing in one of the
Shaanxi
We paint for cultural, educational supplies Heshan Lung Yi Co., Ltd. is specialized in producing children s educational products business, the company has sophisticated technology development team, a sound management system, is a collection development, design, production and marketing in one of the
Beijing
Wholesale and retail genuine Disney cartoon alarm clock, wall clock manufacturers: days when the U.S. company was founded in 1990, is a professional development, design, production, export sales of all kinds of alarm the Taiwan-funded enterprises. Huangjiang factory in Dongguan, covers an area of 110
Shandong
Chengdu Yat Ma by the State senior professional managers, senior managers of the furniture industry, as many large domestic furniture business for many years Guoyong Jun, general manager of the lead teachers, has a professional corporate culture, strategic management, brand operations, organizations Construction, flow
Guangdong
We paint for cultural, educational supplies Heshan Lung Yi Co., Ltd. is specialized in producing children s educational products business, the company has sophisticated technology development team, a sound management system, is a collection development, design, production and marketing in one of the
Guangdong
We grate conducting oil for energy-saving horizontal furnace oil, coal, gas conducting oil furnace Wuqiao County of conducting oil furnace limited liability company located in the civilized world dominated the first rural ---- Wuqiao Acrobatics. The first batch of countries to the Ministry of Labor
Guangdong
Genuine Disney alarm Series: Mickey baby, the baby Mini logo with authorization from the manufacturers: days when the Group of the United States and a factory in Dongguan. Selection of LG shell company ABS120 plastic, green anti-extrusion 2. Knob movement walking alone accurate stability 3. Patent granted
Beijing
Professionals to provide furniture business / commerce, management consulting, corporate training furniture, furniture consultant business Chengdu Yat Ma by the State senior consultant professional managers, senior managers of the furniture industry, as many large domestic furniture industry
Guangdong
We counter for disinfection, the pressure of machines, blenders, hair removal machines, meat grinder, Qierou machines, kitchen utensils Paobing of Dongguan, Guangzhou, kitchen utensils, kitchen utensils Shenzhen, Huizhou, kitchen utensils, the Pearl River Delta, kitchen utensils suppliers, production speculation appliances category, Taiwan s cabinet Class, dining car,
Hebei
We grate conducting oil for energy-saving horizontal furnace oil, coal, gas conducting oil furnace Wuqiao County of conducting oil furnace limited liability company located in the civilized world dominated the first rural ---- Wuqiao Acrobatics. The first batch of countries to the Ministry of Labor
Guangdong
We paint for cultural, educational supplies Heshan Lung Yi Co., Ltd. is specialized in producing children s educational products business, the company has sophisticated technology development team, a sound management system, is a collection development, design, production and marketing in one of the
Guangdong
Wholesale and retail genuine Disney cartoon alarm clock, wall clock manufacturers: days when the U.S. company was founded in 1990, is a professional development, design, production, export sales of all kinds of alarm the Taiwan-funded enterprises. Huangjiang factory in Dongguan, covers an area of 110
Beijing
Genuine Disney alarm Series: Mickey baby, the baby Mini logo with authorization from the manufacturers: days when the Group of the United States and a factory in Dongguan. Selection of LG shell company ABS120 plastic, green anti-extrusion 2. Knob movement walking alone accurate stability 3. Patent granted
Beijing
We paint for cultural, educational supplies Heshan Lung Yi Co., Ltd. is specialized in producing children s educational products business, the company has sophisticated technology development team, a sound management system, is a collection development, design, production and marketing in one of the
Hebei
We grate conducting oil for energy-saving horizontal furnace oil, coal, gas conducting oil furnace Wuqiao County of conducting oil furnace limited liability company located in the civilized world dominated the first rural ---- Wuqiao Acrobatics. The first batch of countries to the Ministry of Labor
Beijing
We paint for cultural, educational supplies Heshan Lung Yi Co., Ltd. is specialized in producing children s educational products business, the company has sophisticated technology development team, a sound management system, is a collection development, design, production and marketing in one of the
Guangdong
Absolutely is a collection of furniture design, production and sales in one of the modern furniture industry, the company built on the idea comes from Europe, mainly to Scandinavian style, high-end furniture company in product positioning, the major furniture manufacturing software, including cloth sofa,
Shanghai
Our foundation stone laying ceremony for the foundation laying ceremony at the Shanghai Exhibition Association Ltd. Shao God all kinds of professionals committed to the celebration of the implementation of the planning meeting. Providing business, construction, foundation, the Open, the completion of commissioning activities and celebrations, such as new release
Shandong
Leaders Lang table is to let children learn in the learning process in the natural health products sitting correction, which can effectively play the role of anti-camel eye protection. Zhuang yuan Lang study tables using high-density environmental materials, with all kinds of cartoons produced by modeling healthy learning products. A variety of styles and more
Beijing
We paint for cultural, educational supplies Heshan Lung Yi Co., Ltd. is specialized in producing children s educational products business, the company has sophisticated technology development team, a sound management system, is a collection development, design, production and marketing in one of the
Beijing
Wholesale and retail genuine Disney cartoon alarm clock, wall clock manufacturers: days when the U.S. company was founded in 1990, is a professional development, design, production, export sales of all kinds of alarm the Taiwan-funded enterprises. Huangjiang factory in Dongguan, covers an area of 110
Guangdong
We paint for cultural, educational supplies Heshan Lung Yi Co., Ltd. is specialized in producing children s educational products business, the company has sophisticated technology development team, a sound management system, is a collection development, design, production and marketing in one of the
Hebei
We campaign for the toy-testing machine constant equipment Technology Co., Ltd. is a professional design and manufacture of various types of sophisticated quality control testing of high-tech equipment joint venture, existing products over 40 series (Rafah pressure testing machine series of environmental testing machine
Hebei
We grate conducting oil for energy-saving horizontal furnace oil, coal, gas conducting oil furnace Wuqiao County of conducting oil furnace limited liability company located in the civilized world dominated the first rural ---- Wuqiao Acrobatics. The first batch of countries to the Ministry of Labor
Guangdong
Hong Kong Sheng Defu Industrial Co., Ltd. is a collection handbags, luggage in the design, development, production and sales as one of the modern enterprise. The company has excellent development and sales personnel, relying on the refining production technology and advanced management methods, business, steamed steamed
Guangdong
We paint for cultural, educational supplies Heshan Lung Yi Co., Ltd. is specialized in producing children s educational products business, the company has sophisticated technology development team, a sound management system, is a collection development, design, production and marketing in one of the
Guangdong
Wholesale and retail genuine Disney cartoon alarm clock, wall clock manufacturers: days when the U.S. company was founded in 1990, is a professional development, design, production, export sales of all kinds of alarm the Taiwan-funded enterprises. Huangjiang factory in Dongguan, covers an area of 110
Beijing
We paint for cultural, educational supplies Heshan Lung Yi Co., Ltd. is specialized in producing children s educational products business, the company has sophisticated technology development team, a sound management system, is a collection development, design, production and marketing in one of the
Guangdong
