Move Outside the Predictable

For more than three decades, Sand Springs Saloon & Steakhouse has been a gathering place in Frostburg—a restaurant where meals come with familiar faces, family stories, and a deep connection to community. In honor of Women’s History Month, Allegany County Economic and Community Development (ACECD) is spotlighting the women behind that legacy: owner Jo Eisel and her daughter, Jacy Eisel, who are working together to guide the business into its next chapter.

Established in 1994, Sand Springs was purchased from what had been Ruffos Tavern and gradually evolved from a small bar into the full-service steakhouse and community destination it is today. The restaurant remains family-owned and operated, with hospitality, consistency, and customer relationships at the center of its identity.

For Jo, the early years of Sand Springs were defined by determination and adaptability. What began as a modest business opportunity quickly grew into something much larger, shaped by customer demand and the support of the Frostburg community. Over time, simple additions to the menu helped transform the bar into a restaurant, and then into the longstanding local favorite many residents know today.

“I have customers that were coming in 32 years ago that still come in today,” Jo said. “A lot of people know me, I know a lot of people, and I had a lot of support from our customers. I still do.”

That steady local support has helped Sand Springs build something increasingly rare in today’s restaurant industry: longevity rooted in relationships. From the beginning, Eisel’s relatives supported the business’s operations: 

The ability to effectively tell your story is no longer optional. Strategic marketing is fundamental to business development, workforce recruitment, tourism, and long-term economic stability. Yet for many organizations in Western Maryland, the tools, training, and infrastructure needed to compete have remained out of reach, until now.

Recognizing this gap, Frostburg State University launched the 3 State Community Media Center with funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The investment was designed with a clear purpose: strengthen economic growth in Western Maryland by expanding access to the skills and infrastructure organizations need to compete.

Allegany County continues to invest in long-term economic growth by strengthening the systems that support entrepreneurs at every stage. Administered locally by Allegany County Economic and Community Development (ACECD), in partnership with the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), a new Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) program is launching to expand entrepreneurial opportunities, align existing business support resources, and help retain talent in Western Maryland.