The UB Post

Media Credit: Chris Sheppard April 1: The unexpected close of Cobbers Pub and Café left the University of Baltimore community reeling. Announcement e-mails immediately began circulating en masse on Feb. 24.

Media Credit: Gene Giordano March 9

By Nedra Cruz and Chris Sheppard

Not too long ago, Cobbers Pub and Café was filled with the sounds of laughter, clinking glasses and music from the jukebox in the wall. Now, the same space where many University of Baltimore students gathered after exams to unwind and where organizations met for happy hours is deserted, with only dust occupying the barstools.

When Cobbers suddenly closed its doors on Feb. 24, word quickly within the UB community mourning the loss of an establishment that could easily be thought of as the unofficial bar of UB.

"It was kind of a shock. I have always considered Cobbers UB's bar," said Sandy Popp, second-year law student. "It was a great place for students to plan happy hours at; it was the spot to go after block parties. A bunch of us used to gather there after our midterms or other tests to unwind and have a drink."

Previously, a sign on the door said renovations were being done. Rumors floated around campus that the close was temporary.

Those rumors proved to be false hope on March 30 as signs blanketed the windows of Cobbers announcing the space was available for lease. The lease includes a seven-day liquor license and all furniture and fixtures inside the establishment.

No official statement has been made on the closing of Cobbers. The Baltimore County Liquor Board refused to comment saying that they could not reveal any information until it had "been confirmed or denied" by the liquor license holder. The Department of Licensing and Taxation gave a similar response when asked the same question.

Queen Anne Belvedere Management, which holds the property on North Charles Street where Cobbers was located, did confirm that Cobbers had closed, but did not give any additional information.

The Maryland Judiciary website, which provides case records of the District Court of Maryland, lists a case filed by Building Your Dream, Inc., a general contractor in Timonium, against T&P Enterprises, LLC, and Cobbers Pub and Café for $25,000.

Building Your Dream performed extensive remodeling to the kitchen, deli and storage areas of Cobbers in 2002, but were not paid for their services.

"Basically, what [UB students] were enjoying was courtesy of my client, and they never got paid," said Amy Austin, attorney for Building Your Dream.

Public records identify John Papastefanou, John Trikilis and Emanuel Trikilis as partners in T&P Enterprises, LLC, which was created in the summer of 2002. Cobbers opened its doors in December of that year. Last year, Papastefanou sold his share in the enterprise to the Trikilises.

When asked about the lawsuit against the establishment, Papastefanou denied any knowledge of the case.

The Trikilises were unable to be reached for comment.

The civil case, filed in the Baltimore County district on Feb. 6, 2006, is still active.

"It's sad to see local bars like that go—a little piece of the neighborhood goes with them when they close," said Rich Seitz third-year law student. "It's disappointing because I went there the first day of law school. I always thought I'd head there right after the graduation ceremony."

Cruz is editor in chief and Sheppard is managing editor of The UB Post.

Matt Satterfield, senior staff writer for The UB Post, contributed to this article.

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