What was once a humble school-bus-yellow pickup truck has been given a second life as Nebraska’s first tap truck. Pat the Pickup, a 1957 Chevy—now painted a stunning Robin’s egg blue—has been restored into a beverage station on four wheels.
“There’s nothing more Nebraskan than a beer out of the bed of a pickup,” said Abby Miller, founder and owner of Pat on Tap. Through a multitude of experiences, Miller found an honest passion for making people happy and reminding them to live life to the fullest.
Turning the vehicle into a fully operational business was no easy feat. Still, Miller, a college student at the time, was determined to make her dream a reality, no matter the obstacles.
“I think being a college student was such an interesting mix for this,” Miller said. “I had no money, so it had to work, because I’m putting all my money into this.” Miller received mixed opinions, but her father believed in her and supported her both financially and by helping with the pickup’s tedious restoration.
The search for a vintage pickup started on eBay, with results popping up from all over the country. Little did Miller know, the perfect truck was waiting just seven miles from her home.
“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, no way, this has to be fake, right?’” Miller said. Wasting no time, she tracked down the owner, struck a deal against several competitors, and skipped class the next morning to purchase the pickup.
The Chevy, in desperate need of TLC, left Miller’s team puzzled. After several setbacks in starting the exterior restoration, Miller went against the norm and began renovating the interior—with a little help from Google.
“There’s no guide on how to restore a truck unless you know the right people, and I didn’t know those people yet,” Miller said. They say it takes a village, and indeed it did. Local friends from a body shop took on the intricate project, generously putting in several hours after their regular work days ended.
It was important for Miller to be completely hands-on with her project, as it gave her a sense of pride and allowed her to witness the fruits of her blossoming dream. After four months of continuous sanding and painting, and multiple trials and errors, Pat the Pickup was brought to life. “Pat is actually named after my grandma, Patsy,” Miller explained. “I have a really strong history of entrepreneurship in my family that (have) all served the community, so it’s a testament to them.”
The business, Pat on Tap, has been around less than two years, but is booked and busy, hosting everything from corporate events to grand weddings. It even went so far as to win the grand prize in the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s New Venture Competition after being a finalist the previous year.
One dream may have been accomplished, but Miller is far from finished. A margarita cart, chic mini-golf rentals, and other unique, high-quality rentals are a few ideas for expanding Pat on Tap. While Nebraskans had the first taste of Pat, several states across the Midwest can expect a visit from the iconic pickup soon. No matter the event, Pat on Tap strives to create countless memories, blending nostalgia with unforgettable experiences.
To learn more, visit patontap.com.
This article originally appeared in the December 2024/January 2025 issue of B2B Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
