Anchorage Gwennie's Restaurant Memories

Have you ever been to Gwennie's restaurant in Spenard? What is (was) your favorite menu item? Meet Gwennie in this edition.

“So many people I knew just loved Gwennie's.

Anytime I had friends visit from the lower 48, Gwennie’s was one of the places I would take them. It was almost always for the Reindeer Sausage–my personal favorite… so very Alaskan!

She has an amazing story, and she will always be a part of Alaskan history. A true pioneer.”

Ed

Thank you, Ed. The above quote tells the story.

Gwennie’s Restaurant means so much to Alaskans.

And, while Gwennie’s Restaurant is still located in Spenard, the lady who started it all no longer owns the restaurant. But some time ago, Anchorage Memories caught up with Gwennie, and she shared her story with us.

Here is part of our exclusive conversation with Gwennie.

Anchorage Memories – Mike and Mary:

When did you first arrive in Anchorage?

Gwennie:

Mom and I left for Anchorage on an old-fashioned ship in 1938. I was a month old.

In Anchorage, we lived with mama Kimura who made an apartment for us. The Kimura's were a wonderful family. They later created Nikko Garden, which became an Anchorage favorite.

Anchorage Memories – Mike and Mary:

When did you get the idea for Gwennie's?

Gwennie:

It was when I was working at the Captain Cook Crow's Nest in Anchorage.

My first restaurant was Gwennie's Diner, located at 2915 Spenard Road right next to the Fire Station. We used to pass food through an opening in the wall between us and the Fire Department.

The photo above is Gwennie’s Diner, her first Anchorage restaurant.

Did you eat at there?

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Anchorage Memories – Mike and Mary:

Your Gwennie's Restaurant menu was so popular. How did you come up with the items to serve?

Gwennie:

I worked at the Parris Island Marine Corps Base is South Carolina and cooked breakfast for the Marines.

It was so much fun and I learned a lot about breakfast.

I love reindeer sausage, crab, shrimp and all the rest of the seafood.

Anchorage Memories – Mike and Mary:

Your Gwennie's Restaurant in Spenard became a legend. Did you ever think it would become so popular and loved?

Gwennie:

No, I definitely did not. But I am delighted about the success.

Anchorage Memories – Mike and Mary:

When did you sell Gwennie's?

Gwennie:

In 1980, I finally decided it was time, so I sold my treasure.

It was heartbreaking. I had worked so hard. Many hours a day and enjoyed it all.

I was lost about what to do, so I traveled around Alaska cities, and went to the lakes. I started to feel better and enjoy, and I really loved Homer, Alaska.

My attorney had bought a restaurant there and didn't know how to run it, so he asked me if I would help, and I said yes. He would fly me down, and I would go into the kitchen and make soups and whatever he wanted me to do. That was fun.

But I still think about Gwennie's a lot.

In the photo above are Gwennie and her good friend, George Kimura of Nikko Garden.

Anchorage Memories – Mike and Mary:

What are you up to now?

Gwennie:

I had my restaurant for 46 years. So, after Gwennie's I retired and moved to Sequim, Washington and had another restaurant for 25 years.

Then I retired and moved to the Idaho Camas Praire, where the population is 700. So nice.

In the photo above is Gwennie and her restaurant in Sequim, Washington

Anchorage Memories – Mike and Mary:

Do you have something you'd like to say to all the fans of Gwennie's?

Gwennie:

Yes, I want to say THANK YOU ALL for supporting me all those years.

You made my life happy.

And thank you for all the wonderful things you have said about my restaurant.

I miss Gwennie's and all of you. I made many friends.

If I were 30, I would do it all over again.

Gwennie Had a Secret

“By the way, Susan Butcher, the world famous sled dog musher, would come in to Gwennie’s Restaurant and fry her dog food before we opened. I was afraid to tell anybody. You know how people are…”

Gwennie

BONUS

Read “Gwennie in her own Words” and enjoy.

What You Said About our Russell Merrill Edition

“Yes, I knew about Aviation Field.  And all about Russel Merrill.  We would watch the planes flying in from the east and flying out towards the east.  My uncle took my cousin and I up in his small plane, very cold, wrapped in our sleeping bags in the mid-1950's.  Quite an adventure for we small ones.”

Randall

“I flew many times in and out of Merrill Field in the late 1950s. By the way, on the east end of Merrill Field was a city dump which began a Sunday trip every weekend.”

Michael

“Wonderful reading and history. Living in Bethel for almost 49 years, I can identify with the area Merrill flew to. Have been to Nyac several times. Thanks for sharing.”

Michael

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Get in Touch

After reading this edition of your Anchorage Memories VIP Club, are you hungry for your favorite menu item from Gwennie’s Restaurant? Mary and I sure are.

What was (is) your favorite menu item?

Do you have a comment? Or maybe you just want to say “Hey, I ate at Gwennie’s”

Mike and Mary love hearing from our North Stars (that’s you).

And it’s so easy to get in touch. You can reply to this email.

Or you can Contact Us right now.

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

Anchorage Memories.com