The Great American Pub, whose locations across the Philadelphia collar counties include an extremely popular Phoenixville version, is a success story rooted in grit, business savvy, and familial bonds. Ana Welsh served it up to readers of Main Line Tonight.

The Great American Pub rests on the bedrock of the Hemcher family. Patriarch Charles found financial success in flipping eateries, that is, buying them, nurturing them to success, and then selling them at a profit. In 1990, he acquired a small eatery in Conshohocken and called it the Great American Pub. He found something about it to be uniquely engaging, and this site, he held onto.

Hemcher eventually started weaving his four sons — Chuck, Sarge, Tom, and Tim — into the fabric of the establishment.

“It’s all about hard work,” said Chuck. “My dad taught us to work hard, be kind to others, and enjoy life.”

The Phoenixville location opened 11 years ago and is run by cousin Debbie Hemcher and a long-time family friend. It has become a cultured place filled with restaurant regulars in a tight-knit community.

More on the Hemcher family and its successful Great American Pub locations is in Main Line Tonight.