Canton Business Owner Dies After Robbery

Frank owned two pool halls, the Top Hat Cue Club in Parkville and North Point Billiards in Dundalk, and owned the Painters Mill shopping center in Owings Mills, according to published reports. The Top Hat pool hall, which he operated for more than 25 years, was recently profiled in the Towson Times as a wholesome business where gambling, alcohol and profanity were not allowed.

"I want Ma and Pa to be able to bring Junior in and not have to worry," he told the newspaper.

Frank took over the family vending business from his father, Nick Frank, in 1997, the same year the elder Frank was convicted for the second time on gambling charges connected to video-poker machines. Nick Frank died in 2002.

Through Precision Vending, Constantine Frank contributed heavily to several political campaigns in recent years. State campaign finance records show he contributed more than $13,000 to city and state elected officials, including $5,250 to former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., $2,000 to House Speaker Michael E. Busch, and $1,300 to City Councilman James B. Kraft.

Kraft said Frank had recently explored a land swap that would allow a development company to build town homes at the site of Precision Vending, a nondescript warehouse on South Lakewood Avenue and Dillon Street, behind the Canton Market shopping complex. "He was a very pleasant guy," Kraft said.