'A part of Butte’s history': Pekin Noodle Parlor closes its doors after 115 years

After 115 years in business, the Pekin Noodle Parlor in Uptown Butte is closing its doors, its owners announced Thursday on social media.

"Since opening our doors in 1911, when the Tam Family first welcomed guests, this restaurant has been more than just a place to eat — it has been a part of Butte’s history, a gathering place for families, friends, and generations of our community," the restaurant owners said in a Facebook post announcing the closing. "After Danny’s passing, his son Jerry Tam and family carried on that legacy with pride, dedication, and deep gratitude for everyone who walked through our doors."

The business was most recently run by Jerry Tam.

The post goes on to say it was not an easy decision to close, but "changing economic conditions" made it difficult for the restaurant to make ends meet.

"Despite our best efforts, we have reached a point where we must say goodbye," the post said.

In 2023, the business — one of the most well-known restaurants in Montana — was surprised on ABC News' "Good Morning America" morning show when the host gifted Tam with a $40,000 check after he expressed business challenges post-COVID. The money came through a campaign by American Express, who partnered with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to support historic small restaurants.

Also in 2023, the restaurant was one of six nationwide recipients of the James Beard Foundation’s 2023 Restaurant and Chef America's Classics Award.

"To the people of Butte and the surrounding communities: thank you. Thank you for your loyalty, your stories, your laughter, and your support through the decades. You made Pekin Noodle Parlor what it was, and we will forever be grateful to have been part of your lives," the Facebook post said.

"While this is a sad day for us, we take comfort in the memories shared within these walls and the legacy that will always remain in this community. The story will continue but in a different path."

The Pekin is said to be America’s oldest continuously-operated, family-owned Chinese restaurant.

In 2021, The New York Times described the Pekin as “a living artifact of Butte’s history that has now survived two pandemics, but remains tightly knit into the everyday life of this mountain city of 34,000.”

This is a developing story and will be updated.