September 2026
Building
Derek put up metal sheathing on three of the four walls in the Production Space. Next, he’ll move in the equipment, including tanks, mash tuns, and our still. Then, he’ll finish the fourth wall. Outside, Jesse Scofield finished two of our custom lights and Nate Mooney installed them.
In previous issues, we have reported on the origin of our building and its era as a grocery warehouse. In 1944, brothers Dave and Edgar Williams returned from WWII and bought the feed and machinery business of P. J. Lovell, including the wool warehouse on N. Montana St. Their father, Harry Williams, worked for his two sons until he succumbed to a heart in September of 1950.
Gary Williams was raised by Harry & Mary Wiliams (his aunt and uncle) in Dillon. His aunt paid his way to go to Western and he graduated with a degree in education and went on to be a school teacher in both Lewistown, MT and Yakima, WA. However in 1960, Edgar & Dave (now getting older) asked him to come back to Dillon and help them run Williams Feed.
Picture of Edgar Williams, his mother, Mary Williams, and his father, Harry Williams.
Picture of Dave Williams from either high school or college.
In September 1979, one of the grain elevators owned by Dillon Livestock, and next to the wool warehouse, was involved in the fatal crash during the Labor Day Parade. That grain elevator burned down to the ground.
Business / Community
This month, a class in Business Communications visited from UMWestern. The students asked questions about strategies, things that have worked the best so far, challenges, and what has surprised us about opening a business in Dillon. It was a great conversation and we’re glad they came by.
Speaking of communication, we had a great turnout from our Labor Day crossword puzzle posted in the Dillonite and in the Rodeo Program. Print one out for yourself and bring in a completed puzzle for a free sticker.
We’ll be changing our hours to Fridays and Saturdays, 12-6. Here is our menu for October:
Distillery
As the weather turns colder, liqueurs are still on our minds. Last month, Katrina started two different home batches of amaretto, a toasted walnut liqueur, and a toasted pecan liqueur. They will all be ready around Thanksgiving / Christmas and we will report out.
Vodka recipe testing is under way. One recipe has oats as the base, the other uses potatoes as the base. Results next month.
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