Q&A: Indy Custom Cornhole's Scott Melby
Interested in cornhole, but don't know where to start? Scott Melby is your man.
Melby, 39, owns Indy Custom Cornhole, the only local business that specializes exclusively in cornhole sets and accessories. He also organizes regular tournaments at bars and other locations around town.
When did you first encounter cornhole?
At a Cincinnati Reds game in the late '90s. I only saw a few sets that time, but then at another Reds game in 2000, it was a beautiful day and there were sets everywhere. I called a friend from Cincinnati who lives in Indianapolis and asked, "What's going on here?" And he said, "Oh, that's cornhole. I have a set." And I was like, "You have a set? Why haven't we been playing?"
Is that when you built your first set?
A buddy and I built two, just because we wanted to play. Then, guys in our crew wanted their own sets. No big deal -- we could build a couple of more, no problem. But when friends of friends started wanting sets, I decided to start charging money. The demand got bigger over the next couple of years, and I realized there's a market for this.
Why do you think it's become so popular?
It's fun. Anybody can play it. You can move the boards closer together and kids can play. It's easy to learn and the rules are simple.
Do you think you're partly responsible for its popularity in Indianapolis?
I don't know, maybe just a little. I think colleges are a big part of it. It spreads like wildfire in college areas.
Has the name "cornhole" made it a challenge to sell?
That was the thing those first few years -- people would be like, "Oh, this looks fun, what is it?" And you'd say "Cornhole," and get funny looks. And I'm like, "It's not sodomy, all right? It's a game." But for a while, people were definitely like, "Indy Custom what?"
What has business growth been like?
I would say from '03 to '05, it was more of a slow growth. But in the last two years the game has double or tripled in popularity, and I expect it will probably triple again this year. I think it is at least another year away from peaking in Indy -- at least.
How much is a cornhole set going to put me out?
An unfinished set with bags and a tote is $150. It's $170 if you want it stained, and $180 if you want it painted one color. Customizing is a big thing, too. We have done customized sets for the Pacers and BMG Music. Renting is big as well -- Taco Bell has rented from us at least two or three times for work parties.
What's your opinion of similar games that can be bought at big sporting goods stores, like "Baggo?"
About one in five of my customers had first bought Baggo and was like, "This is awful, I need to get something better."
Cornhole, indy custom cornhole, drinking games, outdoor games, summer games, indianapolis cornhole
Drinky_McGee : RE: Q&A: Indy Custom Cornhole's Scott Melby More..
"It's not sodomy, all right? It's a game."
Quote of the year.
IndyCustomCornhole : RE: Q&A: Indy Custom Cornhole's Scott Melby More..
"Indy Custom WHAT? you sick moth-"
Yeah, I got 3 years of explaining the game to people who thought I was some kind of a perv. Good times.
Hung out with Scott yesterday. Its great to see someone passionate create and be successful in a niche of their own. He's fired up about this stuff and it shows. Nothing like a beer and hanging out with some indy cornhole.
bravo scott!
IndyCustomCornhole : RE: Q&A: Indy Custom Cornhole's Scott Melby More..
Thursday Night at Fionn MacCool's on 116th St in Fishers: Century 21 Foundation Charity Benefit Mixer Tourney - everyone plays at least 6 games, one game with each other player as your partner - it is a blast! Register at bar from 6-7:30pm, or call 863-2100 to pre-register. It is ALL AGES, Outdoors, $15/person, Credit Cards Accepted!
Monday at The Spot in Castleton - Across the street from Costco. 8:30pm start - $5/person singles tourney. $1.50 Lite Pints; On June 9th we will have 100% payout to the top 4 finishers! Come out and play on the deck!
Upcoming Tournaments are listed on our Calendar
Need Bags? We have 500 bags in 10 different colors in stock.
Keep up with all of our events and get addt'l details: www.indycustomcornhole.com/calen...
IndyCustomCornhole : RE: Q&A: Indy Custom Cornhole's Scott Melby More..
Tonight Music Mill (e. 82nd) - registration starts 8pm - Singles tourney starts at 8:30pm - one is free to play and the other is $10/person. Double elimination - THIS WEEK WE HAVE AT LEAST 6 PRIZES TO THE TOP FINISHERS! Including Indy Tennis Championship Tickets, Chipotle Gift cards, Concert Tickets, CASH, Speedrome Tix, Saturday Indians Tickets and More!
Thursday at MacCool's in Fishers - Partners tourney - Winners get $100 cash - 2nd and 3rd get MacCool's Gift Cards, we will have prizes for 4th place as well this week! Come out and play! Register 5-7pm play starts at 7:30pm. All Ages.
Saturday we will be at the Broad Ripple BeerFestival. 3-7pm. http://www.brewersofindianaguild...
Tuesday Nights at CHAMPP's - We are going to run a singles tourney and will have great prizes - this is not to be missed. We have a great set-up outside - $2 pints. 8:30pm Tuesday nights.
More here: www.indycustomcornhole.com
randydaytona : RE: Q&A: Indy Custom Cornhole's Scott Melby More..
Haven't you heard? Cornhole is for hicks ;)
IndyCustomCornhole : RE: Q&A: Indy Custom Cornhole's Scott Melby More..
Hicks? Come out and see who is playing sometime. It is about 50% ladies, and though we welcome "hicks" to play, we have not had any come out so far. If you check our site photos you will see that we have had Underdog and Wonder Woman and a bunch of people in Togas play too. Kooks.
randydaytona : RE: Q&A: Indy Custom Cornhole's Scott Melby More..
I'm joking buddy, hence the wink. I was just talking about this thread that's been pretty popular lately: http://www.indy.com/posts/9821
IndyCustomCornhole : RE: Q&A: Indy Custom Cornhole's Scott Melby More..
Ahhh, yes. I see now. Sorry RandyDaytona. Yeah, its a big hick sport, I guess.
You know how to keep a hick in suspense?
IndyCustomCornhole : RE: Q&A: Indy Custom Cornhole's Scott Melby More..
Riley Children Foundation benefit cornhole tourney at Golf Club of Indiana, west of Zionsville THIS Saturday.
It is supposed to be 70 degrees, we’ll have sets inside and out. We will have casual and competitive singles tourneys at 1pm and then a doubles tourney after.
We have tons of prizes and door prizes including rounds of golf at the golf club of indiana and a bunch of Calloway stuff too.
Hope you can join us. more info here:
www.indycustomcornhole.com/lasba...
Thanks-
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