Interviewer
Alibi Anne August
Description
In this interview, Chris Thomas talks about his work as controller of Zip Beverage in Missoula, Montana, an Anheuser-Busch wholesaler. Thomas discusses how before COVID-19, his company sold a lot of alcohol for private events such as Griz football games at the University of Montana. During the COVID-19 pandemic, their business shifted. They were doing a lot of “off-premise” business, already selling alcohol to grocery stores and convenience stores, but business has increased even more since the pandemic. Supply chain issues did affect the availability of supplies for beer, such as getting aluminum for cans and lids, and cardboard for cases, however, Zip was able to get a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan to allow them to employ their employees part time. Zip Beverage kept most employees safe by only allowing orders through calls and not allowing public access into their warehouse.
Document Type
Oral History
Subjects
COVID-19 Pandemic; Alcohol consumption
Original Date
4-7-2021
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 478-001
Media Type
Sound; Text
Original Format
audio/mp3; application/pdf
Digital Format
audio/mp3; application/pdf
Run Time
00:49:51 minutes
Local Filename
OH_478_001_use_audio.mp3; OH_478_001_transcript.pdf
Citation
Thomas, Chris, "Chris Thomas Interview, April 7, 2021" (2021). Wet Missoula: COVID-19 and Alcohol Oral History Project. 16.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/wetmissoulacovid19_oralhistory/16
