A familiar name in Moose Jaw’s restaurant and tourism history is being remembered following the passing of Gladys Pierce, the longtime owner of Hopkins Dining Parlour.

Pierce died Feb. 21 with family by her side. For more than four decades, she was closely associated with Hopkins Dining Parlour, a downtown establishment that became both a culinary landmark and a tourism draw.

In a tribute shared online, longtime employee Kim Churko described Pierce as a business leader whose impact extended well beyond the dining room.

“It is with great sadness and yet an honour to write this tribute to Gladys (Glady) Pierce, former owner of Hopkins Dining Parlour for 40 plus years, who passed away with family by her side …,” Churko wrote.

Pierce, along with her husband Wayne and son Rick, started the restaurant in 1979. Prior to that, Pierce and her husband opened the Malt Shoppe in 1973 at the Town ’N’ Country Mall, followed by the Magic Oven. In the early 1980s, the two were combined to form Calico Junction, another well-known Moose Jaw business that operated for decades and became known for its Calico fries. Calico Junction was operated by Wayne and their son Todd.

Beyond her role as a restaurateur, Pierce was also recognized as an advocate for tourism and a vibrant downtown business community. According to the tribute, she and Hopkins Dining Parlour received multiple business excellence awards and recognition in national magazines, drawing increased attention to Moose Jaw.

The building itself also became part of local lore, with its reported hauntings featured on television productions including Creepy Canada and The Other Side. Churko noted that Pierce approached the attention with characteristic composure, continuing her work behind the scenes.

“Glady just took it all in stride and didn’t let the ghosts faze her, as she spent hours going through the financials in the basement office at Hopkins,” Churko wrote. “She had a brilliant business mind and (paid close) attention to the finances.”

Pierce was also remembered for her generosity and commitment to others.

“She also had a huge heart and during her last days spent in the hospital, Glady said, ‘I need to get out of here so that I can help more people,’” the tribute stated.

Honouring Pierce

Over the restaurant’s 46-year history, Hopkins Dining Parlour provided first-job opportunities to many young Moose Javians. Former staff members are being invited to gather and share memories of their time working alongside Pierce.

Hopkins Dining Parlour will host a come-and-go celebration in her honour in the Top of the Parlour on Friday, March 13, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event is open to former staff, family, and friends.

“With the utmost respect and gratitude to an incredible woman … cheers to Gladys Pierce from Linda Lin, the passionate (current) owner of Hopkins Dining Parlour, who mentions Glady and the Pierce family every single day during tours of the historic restaurant. She will never be forgotten …,” Churko wrote, adding a lighthearted personal note: “Side note from me, Kim Churko, to Glady … it will never be OK to add ice to red wine, but I will always love you.”

Further coverage is expected following the March 13 gathering, as family, friends, and former staff reflect on Pierce’s legacy in Moose Jaw’s business and tourism community.

Hopkins Dining Parlour is located at 65 Athabasca Street West and can be reached at 306-692-5995.

Aaron Walker

Reporter

Moose Jaw Express