Mickey’s Cues & Brews named for pool hall’s founder

Mickey’s Cues & Brews has had a lot of success since it first opened its doors in 1991 at 7380 S. Eastern Ave. Its friendly environment and large space have kept pool players coming back to the family-owned business for 22 years.

The founder of the pool hall, Michael Adam “Mickey” Gresser, was born Nov. 30, 1948, to Isabelle and Mike Gresser. He studied at William Adams High School in Pennsylvania and soon after graduation became an ironworker.

As an ironworker, Gresser had to travel constantly from Allentown, Pa., to Atlantic City. After driving for eight hours a day, Gresser decided he needed a change. Gresser and his wife, Robin, and son Shawn moved to Las Vegas in 1990 to continue construction work without the long commute.

While in Las Vegas, Gresser saw a lot of opportunities in the flourishing economy of the city. One place that stuck in his mind was Cue-Topia, a pool hall that seemed to be thriving. He saw how popular pool was among the locals and decided to give the business a chance.

After 23 years of physical labor, Gresser decided to open his own pool hall with his family when he was in his early 40s.

Shawn Gresser followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the construction business before becoming the co-owner of the hall. He worked as a bricklayer and helped manage the pool hall in his spare time. He said his father guided him and taught him important life lessons about the family business.

Shawn Gresser said Mickey’s was the first building built in its Eastern Avenue shopping center. Before the shopping center was constructed, it was the site of the Day Dream Ranch, where locals used to ride horses, swim in the pool or just hang out.

When it first opened in 1991, Mickey’s was a 4,000-square-foot pool room with 16 pool tables. Now the pool hall has doubled in size to become an 8,000-square-foot room with 24 tables, a raised bar and 15 video poker machines.

Shawn Gresser said there are a variety of people who come to the pool hall. There are regulars, families and sometimes tourists who come to play.

“The majority of people that come here are really nice, friendly and polite,” he said.

Mickey Gresser owned the pool hall for 10 years. His family members said he put a lot of hard work and hours into building the place. He took charge of ordering the necessary equipment and planned the entire layout.

Mickey Gresser died on July 26, 2001, from diabetes-related complications.

“My dad, he was just a really, really cool guy,” Shawn Gresser said. “He always tried to give people good advice, and he was always a really hard worker.”

Robin Gresser recalls her husband as fun, adventurous and always having a lot of energy.

“Mickey was my best friend,” she said. “He was my business partner, my lover, my mentor, my everything. He was very loyal and very family-oriented.”

In addition to running the business, Robin Gresser said her husband worked as the road manager for Jay & the Techniques, a group best known for the song, “Apple, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie.”

Robin Gresser said the pool business remains important to her family.

“This business was built on blood, sweat and tears,” she said. “It’s a family-run business. It’s only been us three since it’s been open. It’s what we know, what we do and what we like.”

Contact reporter Sandy Lopez at slopez@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4686.