The Hilltop Diner Cafe has closed its doors permanently, due to issues with the landlord, according to a notice on the diner's window.
Former owner Brianne Williams confirmed that the iconic cafe will not be reopening as originally planned.
It wasn鈥檛 an easy life for the Hilltop Diner Cafe. Some owners had different visions for it, and Hilltop even closed down for a few years in the 1970s. But throughout it all, the diner remained a staple in the 91原创 and Aldergrove communities up until it closed in July this year.
Just inside the entrance was a wall of photos of people who successfully consumed the Everest Burger, a long-time menu favourite consisting of three five-ounce burger patties, with bacon, mozzarella, cheddar, ham, and farmer sausage.
Photos of past owners, era-specific images, and even signage of years gone by also made up part of the decor.
Hilltop was built in 1946 alongside the then five-year-old Highway 1A, now Fraser Highway. There was limited-to-no transit options back then, so commuters would travel most of the day between Vancouver and Chilliwack.
The cafe was considered a convenient halfway mark in 91原创. It was built to service the motel on the same property, where commuters and travellers could stop for the night and have homemade meals.
Some history of the beloved diner is lost, but the earliest mention is in a news clipping from 1947 when the diner opened under the management of Isobel Ralph.
"The new establishment was built and owned by J. Hardy and A. Newman, who plan to build an electric store and an auto camp on the property," reads the excerpt, though first names cannot be found.
Adverts from 1948 by J. Hardy were posted in the 91原创 Advance newspaper for cabins to rent.
The Hilltop Cafe immediately became popular among truckers before the freeway was constructed, and became famous for its homemade pies.
In May of 1950, articles suggest Sam East became the owner, and J. Hardy was still advertising the cabins for rent until April that year. And in August, a "help wanted" ad was posted in the newspaper, requesting applicants to contact E.B. Gerrard.
But in December 1950, an article announced the Hilltop was bought by Todd Spicor, who had already owned the dining rooms of the 91原创 Hotel, Laura Mel Hotel in White Rock, and Harrison Hot Springs Hotel.
"The new owner states he will remodel the interior of the popular highway stopping spot, and furnish the kitchen with new, modern equipment," it reads.
In about 1953, The Hilltop Cafe came under the ownership of Gladys and Elmer Janzen 鈥� or Jansen as some news clippings spelt incorrectly.
The Janzens moved to B.C. from Saskatchewan in 1945. While Gladys ran the Hilltop Cafe, Elmer operated the Al's Service Station right next door, open 24 hours a day, and eventually came to own the station as well in 1958.
The diner was awarded first prize among commercial floats in the 1953 fall fair parade, now the Aldergrove Fair held in summer. The Janzens winning float was a replica of the cafe, with a counter and waitresses inside, according to a news clipping from the time.
Hilltop was eventually taken over by the Baker family in 1970, and was run by husband and wife team Doug and Edith.
According to a news clipping from the 91原创 Advance, Doug Baker was a chef for 27 years by the time his family took over the cafe. He had worked at the Leon Hotel at Port Moody as head chef, and also the Rupert Taylor Motel and Restaurant in Hope. He was also managing chef at the Cook Inn in Vancouver for a couple years.
About 1973, the Hilltop Cafe came under the ownership of Colin Donison. He moved to Aldergrove in 1965 from 91原创 as a building contractor. Donison ran for council in 1970 for the first time, but was not elected.
Adverts from the 1970s suggest the diner was called "Hill Top Motel and Restaurant," and the property had Bulat's Market just a few steps to the east of the diner.
A news clipping from March 1977 summarizes Donison's request to 91原创 Township to renovate the Hilltop Cafe. It's not clear what type of renovations, or if his request was ever approved. Cabins for rent were still being advertised in 1979.
Donison passed away in May of 1980, and the Hilltop came under the ownership of a "Mr. Lee," his first name is unknown.
Former Hilltop owner, and possibly its last, Brianne Williams recalled stories of Mr. Lee's "legendary pork chops," and that people had still requested them even after she took over in 2020.
"I think the majority of stories people share with me are their stories of Mr. Lee. He left a lasting impression on people, in particular the high school students who spent a lot of time in the diner back in those days," she said.
She said many people told her how Mr. Lee often paid kids in the '90s with free food so they wouldn't spray paint the building.
"He owned the diner for a long time," Williams recalled.
There is a gap in available records of who owned Hilltop after Mr. Lee, but in 2011 the diner came under the ownership of two sisters: Sandie Parley and Andrea Zaiser.
By then, Fraser Highway was no longer the only route for travel through the Lower Mainland, and Hilltop was enjoyed primarily by families and friends for breakfast and lunch.
Both sisters had waited tables in the past and Zaiser had managed a few eateries, so when the call came that the previous owner was ready to sell in 2011, the sisters dove in head-first. Parley was looking for a retirement activity and Zaiser needed a little something to call her own.
Their goal was to take the diner back to its roots from the 1940s, which meant a change in music and removing the sports posters from the walls.
They also expanded the pie menu from two to 20, including the famous flapper pie, and had their kids helping run the diner.
And then Williams came into Hilltop's story, signing the paperwork for ownership on March 17, 2020, and began her first day on June 1 that year.
But she hadn't ever expected her first challenge to be keeping Hilltop alive during and after the COVID pandemic.
"I kept the diner going through COVID, supply chain shortages, labour shortages 鈥� it was not an easy go. But I met some of the most amazing customers, some who have become like family," Williams shared.
Thanks to their loyal customers and staff, Hilltop made it through.
"The team that was there up until the day we closed (July 15) and who were planning on coming back [for September], I am forever thankful for," Williams said.
Williams even created some of her own pies to add to the menu.
"I loved making pies... the chocolate bar pie was probably my favourite, layers of fudge and caramel with bits of chocolate bar [in] the topping. It sold out fast!"
Her favourite memories are her conversations with regular customers, and hearing their stories of their family's generational visits to the diner.
91原创 and Aldergrove residents shared their thoughts and memories online of their visits at the Hilltop.
"This was a place of nostalgia and great food enjoyed by all ages," said Amber Develder about the diner closing.
"The Hilltop was one of those things you expected your great grandkids would 'ooh' and 'aah' at, especially after you stream a Hallmark movie and see the Hilltop... A life of 80 years is a good run," commented Aldergrove resident J.C. Giesbrecht.
Many locals recall growing up going to the diner with their parents and grandparents, or bringing their own kids for a meal.
"I remember going there when I was very young. Late '50s, early '60s. At that time [it] was a special outing, it seemed like a long drive from 200 Street and 72 Avenue. My favourite part was sitting on the red stools and making them turn around. What fun was that!" shared Pamela Martin.
"Sad to see it go. It was a really great spot! My dad and I ate there, and I remember eating eggnog pie at Christmas time. So good. It'll be missed," said Taylor Nicholls.
Dave Halliday said his first time at Hilltop was in 1970.
"I used to drop in there back in high school for a piece of pie and a coffee," he said.
And Wally Martin, owner of , said he had many business meetings at Hilltop in the 1960s and '70s.
"I recall it had a pay phone in the front entrance, which was a great asset before cell phones came in the '70s," Martin told The Star, adding that he hoped Hilltop would reopen. "Our heritage is disappearing."
In the '80s, Murray Yeo recounted a conversation he had with a truck driver at Hilltop.
"He told me they used that stop to let the old trucks cool down after climbing the hill. Also, he mentioned cabins in the back that they stayed in," he said.
In an email to The Star, Aldergrove resident Renee Arbo submitted a photo of her son in 2019 at Hilltop, trying the famous Everest burger.
"We loved the retro feel of the restaurant," she shared.
The cafe has had many different owners over the years, Williams commented, and their stories are embedded within the building.
In the hallway there are drafting plans of the building with the motel in the back.
"It's really faded now, but sometimes I would stand there and try to envision the diner in its original form," she shared.
There is also a photo of the first owners hanging above the door with a full view of the diner.
"We used to joke they were running the show and watching everything we did," Williams chuckled.
As the last owner of a diner holding 78 years of stories and history, Williams said she is devastated it "ends in a bitter battle."
"She (Hilltop) is old and stood through a lot, and I hope the new land owners see her worth to the community and let her operate again."
Initially, the diner was only temporarily closed for the summer with plans for new owners to take over starting September.
But Williams confirmed that Hilltop will not reopen due to "unforeseen" circumstances with the property's landlord.
Hilltop has been used in dozens of films, including 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants', 'Bates Motel', and the 'X-files' TV series. It was also featured on John Catucci's 'You Gotta Eat Here' TV show on The Food Network.
The 1.36-acre property Hilltop sits on, 23904 Fraser Hwy., is valued at $4.5 million, according to a 2023 BC Assessment.
The 1.36-acre property Hilltop sits on, 23904 Fraser Hwy., is valued at $4.5 million, according to a 2023 BC Assessment. The Buildings, the Hilltop Cafe and Pioneer Motors (another longstanding business on the property) makes up $10,000 of the property value.
On royalty.ca and Coldwell Banker, the property is listed for sale at $5.7 million.
READ MORE:
READ ALSO: 91原创 diner turns 70 this year
