Meyer retires after 44 years at The Duck Inn

From The Duck Inn

Trudy Meyer, general manager of The Duck Inn Restaurant, has hung up her apron for the final time, retiring Feb. 28, 2021 after 44 years behind the counter and the scenes.

Meyer began at The Duck Inn in May of 1977. The owner, Bill Dritshulas, hired her as a part-time hostess in the original Mediterranean Room. She fondly remembers that her first event at The Duck Inn was the State Shriner's Convention, which must have left a lasting impression on her because one of her specialties was booking banquets, wedding receptions, special events and small parties.

From the start, Meyer had the remarkable gift of making each customer feel special, going "above and beyond" the regular duties of the job to ensure each customer experience was a success. She would often pick up a special bouquet of flowers or place settings to add the "perfect touch" to any event. Most importantly, though, she always managed to take away the stress and worries of the host.

In the early 1980s, as gambling was becoming quite popular in Montana, Meyer became one of The Duck Inn's first Live Poker dealers. The Duck Inn Tavern was a bustling place and her vibrant personality, quick wit and beauty regularly attracted a variety of patrons to her poker table. She continued to wait tables during the lunch hour and deal cards in the evening for almost a decade.

In the late '80s, Meyer took on the role of assistant manager. She worked directly with the front of house staff, training and nurturing each employee, teaching them the "tricks of the trade" in order to provide the best service possible. Her training methods were phenomenal, instilling in her employees to always carry a tray, upsell your beverages, be professional provide service with a smile and care about your job - and these only scratch the surface!

During these years, she also assisted with several The Duck Inn Inc. expansions, including the remodel of the Vineyard Patio & Lounge and Mediterranean Room, along with the addition of the Olympic Grand Ball Room. Meyer loves to decorate and she never failed to add her unique and special touch to these spaces.

In 2007, the opportunity arose for Meyer to take over as general manager. She was offered the position and accepted without hesitation. It should be no surprise that she took her new role very seriously. From the beginning, she strived to do the best job possible by creating goals to improve sales, cut costs, and provide the best product and service the industry could offer. Meyer's love for The Duck Inn, the restaurant environment, her customers and staff was remarkable, inspiring the dedication of her employees and the consistent patronage of her "regulars." Her years of experience and dedication did not go unnoticed. The same year that she took on the role of GM, she was honored by the Montana Tavern Association at their annual convention in 2007, receiving the MTA "Employee of the Year" Award - a wonderful honor for her and for The Duck Inn.

Throughout her many years of employment at the Duck, Meyer remained solid, not only for the company, but also for Dritshulas and the management team. When so many things were changing, she remained a constant. In fact, employees often teased her that her real job was to keep Bill (Dritshulas) in line! Throughout the past four decades, Trudy has been more than an employee, but has become family and a very good friend.

While she has been called a "work-a-holic" she was known to say, "This is my way of life. I love this place and I love the people!"Indeed, she would spend endless hours at The Duck Inn behind the bar, helping on the floor, visiting with customers, giving motherly advice to the employees, and just making sure her "people" were taken care of. She has a way of making each person in her life feel special, never forgetting birthdays or celebrations, and always being present in times of need.

Considering her attitude and experience, retiring wasn't easy for Meyer. Most people would be jumping for joy at the thought of never having to work another day, but not her. Her last days at work were bitter-sweet. She was leaving a job she adored, people she loved and who loved her, and, most importantly, a place she called "home."

We, the management and staff, also felt those same bitter-sweet emotions, but the bitter was overcome by the sweet joy of knowing that she is able to rest and do what she loves best - spend time with her family.

Her humble nature would not allow us to throw a huge retirement bash, but trust me, we tried! However, we would be remiss if we didn't take this opportunity to thank Trudy for her many years of dedication, hard work, and love for The Duck Inn, and to also share with all of you just a small glimpse of the person we were blessed to work with.

Meyer's retirement plans, after getting caught up on much needed rest, include spending time with family and friends. After four decades in the restaurant businesses, she will finally be able to enjoy regular dinners and holidays with her husband, Jake, and her children, Stephanie and Corey, along with her grandson, Logan. She also hopes to travel and spend time in her yard gardening.

It has only been a few months since her last day, but we already miss her smiling face, motherly love, and overall presence at The Duck Inn. However, we are so very happy for her and so proud of her many accomplishments. She left The Duck Inn in the best of hands, those trained by Trudy herself.

We wish Trudy the absolute best! She will always be a part of The Duck Inn Family, and, of course, a life-long friend.