Historic Rock Fair Eatery Celebrates Anniversary in Cuba, Missouri

Rock Fair Tavern is a popular eatery in Cuba, Missouri.

Happy 30th Anniversary Ann!

Built as a gas station in 1934, the historic rock building on S. Hwy. 19 in Cuba has seen a lot of history pass by its doors. Walter Pilz, a local stone mason, built “The Rock” as it is known locally. Soon after its building, Rock Fair changed from a gas station to a bar. Various owners put their stamp on the roadside building.

Ann Montgomery Karpowecz purchased Rock Fair on August 20, 1979 for Ray Ederati, who owned it for almost 20 years. Ann celebrates 30 years of owning Rock Fair this month. During her time, she developed Rock Fair into a restaurant and added outdoor seating on the patio. Generations of Cubans have grown up visiting Rock Fair and now take their children there. One couple married there. Ann and her husband Frank Karpowecz and their staff welcome locals and travelers alike to the “Rock Fair Experience.”

This is just another example of how Cubans have put their heart and money into preserving one of Cuba’s historic buildings. Stop by and congratulate Ann this week and share some of your “Rock Fair” memories with her.

Ann Montogomery Karpowecz took a leap-of-faith 30 years ago when she committed to buying Rock Fair. It has paid off with rock solid success.

“It’s not a rough place. The help is friendly, there’s no loud music, and I don’t put up with foul language. Families come here to eat,” states Ann who purchased the business in 1979 from Ray Ederati. Quote from last week’s article in The Cuba Free Press.