Interviewer
Koby Keene
Files
Description
In this interview, William Preeshl discusses working as a bartender for Stockman’s Bar in downtown Missoula, Montana. He is originally from Billings, Montana, but he works at Stockman’s while attending the University of Montana. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stockman’s was closed from St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, until May 5, Cinco de Mayo. Among the staff at Stockman’s, there was only one staff person who tested positive for COVID-19. Stockman’s was able to keep staff on their payroll through the pandemic by having them help out at the owner’s ranch. Also, Stockman’s provided unemployment compensation for staff through their insurance. Changes made to Stockman’s post-pandemic include closing their dance floor, adding tables there, and adding a second poker table. When asked if he thought that alcohol is an essential service, Preeshl says that he thinks providing it as retail is essential but not the service of alcohol in bars and restaurants.
Document Type
Oral History
Subjects
COVID-19 Pandemic; Alcohol consumption
Original Date
4-14-2021
Time Period
Twenty-first century
Geographic Coverage
Montana
Language
eng
Original Collection
Wet Missoula: COVID-19 and Alcohol Oral History Project, OH 478, Archives & Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana
Digital Publisher
University of Montana--Missoula. Mansfield Library
Rights
Copyright to this collection is held by the interview participants and by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula. Permission may be required for use. For further information please contact Archives and Special Collections: (406) 243-2053 / library.archives@umontana.edu
Oral History Number
OH 478-009
Media Type
Sound; Text
Original Format
application/pdf
Digital Format
audio/mp3; application/pdf
Run Time
00:33:25 minutes
Local Filename
OH_478_009_use_audio.mp3; OH_478_009_transcript.pdf
Citation
Preeshl, William, "William Preeshl Interview, April 14, 2021" (2021). Wet Missoula: COVID-19 and Alcohol Oral History Project. 13.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/wetmissoulacovid19_oralhistory/13
