New owners take over establishment

Traci Libersky had worked as a bartender at Papa B’s Lounge in Somerset for four years when she heard the business was for sale. Libersky said she had long hoped to own her own bar and she jumped at the opportunity.

“It just kind of fell into our laps and we went for it,” Libersky said.

Libersky now co-owns Papa B’s Lounge with her husband Shawn. The Liberskys said they will officially change the bar’s name to T-Buckets when they are able to purchase a new sign for the building.

Traci Libersky said she has purchased the rights to the name “T-Buckets” and she is only waiting on the new sign.

Traci Libersky said the name “T-Buckets” is a combination of two of her nicknames. She said Shawn Libersky is the one who thought of combining the two nicknames to create a name for their newly-acquired bar.

In keeping with the theme, the Liberskys said they plan to offer small plastic buckets of drinks, starting after the first of the year. Traci Libersky said this will include a bucket of beer special and a “bloody bucket” special as well as other drink specials.

The Liberskys took over the business on Nov. 1. Traci Libersky said she has been running the bar as owner ever since.

“I find the challenge very exciting,” Traci Libersky said. She said owning the business brings more challenges than she had expected, but she enjoys meeting them. Traci Libersky said she started bartending to get out of the house, and found her niche.

Traci Libersky said she has concocted a signature drink for the bar called “The Traci.” She said “the Traci” is her favorite drink to mix.

“It tastes like a ‘SweeTart,’” Traci Libersky said.

The bar’s hours are: Tuesday – Thursday: 2 p.m. to midnight; Friday: 2 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m. – midnight.

The Liberskys said they’ve purchased six new televisions for the bar, so patrons can watch the games.

In addition, Traci Libersky said there is karaoke starting at 8 p.m. every Saturday through December.

The bar has deals for large groups coming through, if they set it up in advance, said Traci Libersky. And the bar recently held a “Deer Widows” event on Nov. 17, geared toward women whose husbands are deer hunting.

The Liberskys and their four children live in Osceola.

Traci Libersky said she enjoys working in and owning a bar in Somerset because of the friendly, small-town atmosphere she hopes to continue to cultivate in her establishment.

“It feels like home,” Traci Libersky said.

Tags: arts and entertainment, communities, somerset, lifestyle, entertainment, food