Browse Interviews

Interview recorded during Prosperity Social Club 10 year anniversary event.
Bonnie Flinner talks about her acquisition of the pub in 2005, her growing relationship with the Dembowski family and the Tremont neighborhood, and what she’s learned (and come to love) about managing a restaurant.

Interview recorded during Prosperity Social Club 10 year anniversary event. Richard and Theresa Dembowski (son and daughter in law of Stanley Dembowski) talk about Stanley’s acquisition of Hot Dog Bill’s in 1938, how the name “Dempsey’s Oasis” came about, the pub’s early days, and their experiences before and after talking over the restaurant when Stanley retired in 1967. See also the accompanying document: Richard Dembowski. "Our Family Tremont History," October 2015.

Interview recorded during Prosperity Social Club 10 year anniversary event.
Tremont resident Patti Choby describes changes to the neighborhood she witnessed over the last decade, and the importance of Prosperity Social Club as a local landmark.

Interview recorded during Prosperity Social Club 10 year anniversary event.
Jim Duncan recounts his youth growing up in the Tremont projects, the changes he has witnessed in the neighborhood over the past half century, and working as a shoe shine at Dempsey's Oasis.

Interview recorded during Prosperity Social Club 10 year anniversary event.
Erich Hooper is the owner of Hooper Farm, a neighborhood garden that works with the youth of the area. Mr Hooper has lived in Tremont since 1966 and discusses the early days of the neighborhood, and the changes that have occurred there.

Interview recorded during Prosperity Social Club 10 year anniversary event.
John Porter recounts being hired as the first bartender at Prosperity Social Club, and discusses the establishment's development under the ownership of Bonnie Flinner.

Interview recorded during Prosperity Social Club 10 year anniversary event.
Ms Nieves lived in an apartment above Prosperity for three years and relates the story of a unique roommate. In her account, Stan, a previous resident, is now a friendly ghost who haunts the bar and especially the upstairs apartment.

Interview recorded during Prosperity Social Club 10 year anniversary event.
Jean Brandt is a longtime Tremont resident that operated the former Brandt Gallery and her law office across the park from Prosperity. She speaks about the unique Tremont community and how Dempsey's/Prosperity is such an important resource in that regard – serving as a welcome wagon for new residents and a social hub for everyone.

Interview recorded during Prosperity Social Club 10 year anniversary event.
Greg and Jacquie Dembowski—son and daughter of Richard and Theresa Dembowski—describe their experience growing with their family's business, Dempsey’s Oasis. In addition to living next door to Dempsey's, they joined other members of an extended Dempsey’s family in running and maintaining the restaurant. From their perspective, restaurant and home were often indistinguishable.

Interview recorded during Prosperity Social Club 10 year anniversary event.
Tim Yanko describes visiting Dempsey's Oasis during the 1980s for fish fries, his family's ties to the Tremont neighborhood, and working as a bartender at Prosperity Social Club.

Interview recorded during Prosperity Social Club 10 year anniversary event.
Susan Durishin and Christian Webb recount their first visit to Prosperity Social Club, and share their impressions of the establishment.

Bonnie Sonich fondly recalls a variety of work experiences with her Dembowski cousins at Dempsey’s Oasis.

Interview recorded during Prosperity Social Club 10 year anniversary event.
Jessica and Justin share their love story and the role Prosperity has played in their relationship. After a string of first dates, all at Prosperity, Jessica finally met and fell in love with Justin, and Prosperity served as the venue for their wedding rehearsal dinner.