12/20/2012
The Frisco Family Pub found its roots in 1929 when Angelo Courpas bought the “El Paso” café in Hampden. Before long, the “El Paso” became famous around the region for its authentic Coney Island Chili dogs and down home atmosphere. Angelo’s son, Bill, made it a true family business in 1955 after returning home from the Navy.
By 1978, Bill Courpas was ready to strike out in a new direction. Along with his wife, Connie, and their six children (Corynne, Charlene, Cheryl, Bill, Connie and Caryn), Bill Courpas moved his family business to the wide open spaces of Carroll County. They purchased the Frisco Pub and soon gained a local reputation for delicious food and a pleasant atmosphere.
In the beginning, the Pub consisted of 28 tables. If they could talk, oh what stories those tables could tell! Hundreds of babies munched on their first pickles or soup crackers while sitting in Pub highchairs. Some of these babies even grew up to be Pub employees.
To the Courpas family, the Pub was more than a business, it was a home. In the 1980’s and early 1990’s, three of the Courpas children met their spouses there (Steve, Kurt, Nancy). “Front Round” has always been home base for extended family gatherings. Birthdays were celebrated, children were nurtured, and new friends were made.
By 1991, business was booming; it was again time to grow. Mr. C. expanded the Pub into the vacant Kelly’s Stationary space next door. Before long, the Pub’s Crab Deck was serving the best, hot, Maryland steamed crabs in town.
In 1995, Mr. and Mrs. C retired to Florida, leaving the Pub in Cheryl’s hard-working hands. Under Cheryl’s direction, with help from her husband Steve and their four children (Dana, Heather, Scott and Brian), the Pub remained a Carroll County landmark and a second home to the family for another seventeen years. Brian met his wife, Lisa, there. Scott and his fiancé, Nicki, worked there together for over a decade. Up until the last day, customers stopped by to see pictures of Scott and Nicki’s beautiful baby boy, Lucas. Dana continued to work there as she earned her Bachelors and Masters Degrees, and at the time of closing was the longest-standing employee with 14 ½ years. Heather enjoyed returning home for the summers to work there while pursuing her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Several nieces, nephews, and extended family worked there. Over the years, some of Cheryl and Steve’s closest life-long friendships were formed there.
In 2008, as Cheryl and Steve started to approach retirement age, they decided to pursue a new direction once again. Cheryl and Steve bought Munch’s Court Street Café, leaving the Pub in the capable hands of Scott, Brian, longtime employee- Brent, and several others. Cheryl and Steve continued to work hard at the Pub on the weekends. During this time, Scott led a dedicated team of employees through many late nights of remodeling the chairs, tables, benches and bathrooms to fit the times.
In early 2012, as Cheryl and Steve became first time grandparents, they saw it fit to focus more on family, and less on business. The Pub returned to its roots with one dining room, consisting of 28 tables. Frisco Family Pub made the difficult decision to lock the doors permanently on December 19, 2012.
Over the past 34 ½ years, the Pub has been more than just a job or a place to eat, it has been a second home to many. Our employees and regular customers have become a second family. Celebrities such as Martin Sheen, Boog Powell, and Steve McNair have dined there. The Pub has contributed to fundraisers for schools and community organizations, and has sponsored many sports teams. Families and friends gather for celebrations, banquets, and Thursday night trivia. The Pub will hold a spot in the hearts of many.
We would like to thank our employees (former and current), customers, and the Carroll County community for 34 years of wonderful memories.
Merry Christmas to all……and to all a good night!
