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Casey's Public House: The Neighborhood Pub Since 1976
by Liz Burnett Photos courtesy of Casey’s Public House
Photos courtesy of Casey's Public House
Casey’s Public House is a Newtown Square institution, one that has lasted decades in a town that has new businesses coming in every year. The Marple Newtown community has come to know Casey’s as the reliable hometown pub, where people can come in and be treated like family. Full of old traditions and regular updates from the owners Pete Crisanti and Steve Graham, Casey’s continues to be the neighborhood spot.
Steve Graham originally created Casey’s in 1976, then a small trolley car-themed restaurant called Casey’s Trolley Stop. The atmosphere was casual and fun, with a trolley set around the restaurant and the original idea being a chain of “trolley stops” that reached from Upper Darby to West Chester. That idea may not have stuck, but there was something central to that concept that persists today. Casey’s is a reliable spot for people to come to when they need somewhere to stop and rest, whether in the middle of a journey down the trolley line or at the end of a long day at work and eager for a neighborhood spot to get something to eat and drink and talk with friends.
Pete Crisanti joined Steve as a partner in 2001. Pete’s father owned a meat market in Marple Newtown for years, and after working awhile for his father, Pete opened a beer distributorship in Marple Newtown and operated that business for 20 years. When Steve invited Pete to partner as Casey’s co-owner in 2001, Pete had a very proud working history with his community. “I have never left this town in my three careers,” Pete said with pride.
Pete and Steve had been friends long before 2001. They both grew up in Newtown Square; attended Saint Anastasia and Marple Newtown High School; and then went into business in Marple Newtown. Pete was immediately excited about Steve’s business partnership idea because it would be something new that was still in his hometown.
The bar at Casey's, with many options on tap
In 2001, Casey’s was a formal Irish pub: Victorian-style dark mahogany, a long bar, a menu with Irish options such as fish and chips. But now behind the bar there’s a row of large TVs, and new menu items like burgers and tacos. The hybrid nature is something Pete and Steve decided to add as the expectations of the customers changed over time.
Evolution is something Pete and Steve embrace with open arms. The Marple Newtown community is more casual now, more open to go out to the bar and share some drinks, some laughs and a good burger. Where other restaurants have closed down or refused to adapt, Casey’s has continued to thrive and grow in Marple Newtown. This flexibility is a key factor in why this restaurant has lasted so long.
Similar to the way they run their other restaurant, The Porch at The Lamb Tavern in Springfield, Pete and Steve take their relationship with the staff very seriously. A source of great pride is the number of people who have stayed with Casey’s for years. “We have a lot of long-time staff members, and we treat them like family,” Pete said. Some employees have been working at Casey’s for over 20 years.
When you walk into Casey’s, you immediately feel “at home.” Everyone behind the bar is laughing and working without missing a beat, almost like they know each other’s next move. Bartenders are having conversations with the locals. A group of friends on the other side of the bar is watching the game. Families with kids are enjoying lunch or dinner out while sharing news about their busy day. And even someone who’s never been to Marple Newtown feels comfortable enough to join in on the fun.
Outside view of Casey's Public House
Comfort and familiarity come easy at Casey’s, even as they introduce new and interesting food and beverage menu items. They’ve provided reliable service to the Marple Newtown community for 33 years. Through all the growth and change, Casey’s has managed to maintain its authentic charm. “We’re very thankful for all the growth in Marple Newtown,” Pete explained. “Competition is good for everyone; it brings more people into the area. We strive to be the go-to neighborhood place, where people come back to after they try other places.” In this age of cookie-cutter chain restaurants, a locally owned one-of-a-kind neighborhood pub like Casey’s is a true treasure.
