Anthony Kozeniecki & his wife Mary owned Kruszka's tavern, (no one seems to know where the name came from) likely during prohibition and on till 1974. They ran Kruszka’s Tavern and they lived in the space above the bar. Their children helped out with the everyday operations: John, Anthony, Joseph, Helen and Dorothy. Elder Anthony, died early on and his wife, Mary, continued on running the tavern. When she passed, the tavern remained in the family and Helen was a key bartender and part owner. Helen would tell stories of the “old days” when she’d finish tending bar, then have to go to the basement to shovel coal into the furnace.
If you have old photos or stories about Kruszka's or Barrel Riders, we'd love to hear from you.