Our View: Chance to celebrate Gordy is welcomed

We applaud the family of the late Gordy Lundquist for inviting everyone to an ice cream social Sunday to celebrate the life of the legendary patriarch and founder of the famous drive-in that bears his name.

When Gordy and his wife, Marilyn, started Gordy’s Hi-Hat restaurant in 1960, no one thought their summer-only, drive-in burger joint would put Cloquet on the map, but it did. Even after fast food chain restaurants suffocated most old-fashioned drive-ins, Gordy’s not only survived but thrived, attracting customers from near and far. A simple glance at the dealer logos on the cars in their parking lot any given day is evidence of the restaurant’s wide-reaching influence, as you’re likely to see many cars from the Twin Cities and even beyond. Our editor, Jana Peterson, told how she was at a soccer tournament in Blaine a week or two after his death in July, when two strangers in nearby lawn chairs struck up a conversation. “You’re from Cloquet?” an older gentleman said. “We were so sorry to hear about Gordy, please accept our condolences.”

He represented our city to so many people, in the best of ways.

Gordy exhibited an inspiring work ethic. He was a fixture at the counter even into his 90s, taking orders on a notepad with some kind of almost magical ability to remember nearly everyone’s names. For decades, he worked long hours during their open season, with tireless energy and effortless interactions with hundreds of customers every day. Marilyn kept up with him, but led by example in the kitchen.

Remarkable.

Gordy and his family were also known for their community activism, supporting youth athletic teams and other high-profile sponsorships, but also behind the scenes, feeding firefighters and nursing home residents without fanfare, evidence of his dedication to those in the community who helped make his restaurant so successful. That’s a true member of the community.

And Gordy was a legendary employer. He hired hundreds of teenagers over the years for their first jobs, and by all accounts treated them like family, demanding hard work and expecting positive attitudes but also delivering a caring and rewarding environment. Some even stayed and made a career out of it. His legacy will live on for a very, very long time.

The ice cream social is this Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. in the parking lot of Gordy’s Hi-Hat restaurant on Highway 33 in Cloquet. There will be a brief tribute at 5 p.m. Everyone in the community is invited. We hope to see you there.