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Over the years, Hopkins' House was frequented by a number of celebrities diners, including singers [[Wikipedia:Michael Jackson|Michael]] and [[Wikipedia:Janet Jackson|Janet Jackson]], boxer [[Wikipedia:Sugar Ray Leonard|Sugar Ray Leonard]] and Miss America 1965 [[Wikipedia:Vonda Kay Van Dyke|Vonda Kay Van Dyke]], who made repeated visits with her husband.<ref name="stillcookin"/>
After the [[1986]] death of Ma Hopkins, her son [[Ed Hopkins|Ed]] took over the business. The business thrived for the next ten years being run by Vicki Hopkins(Ed's wife). After their seperation in 1991996, losing money and balancing the duties of his law practice, he decided to close the restaurant in February [[2004]] to seek a new owner. He convinced long-time head cook [[Cora Edwards]] to come out of retirement and train the eventual buyers, but none were found.<ref>"Hopkins House clears the table." ''Pensacola News Journal'', February 25, 2004.</ref>
Ed Hopkins died on a hunting trip with his son on [[September 11]], [[2004]], days before [[Hurricane Ivan]] ravaged the city.<ref>"Former Hopkins House owner dies at age 59." ''Pensacola News Journal'', September 14, 2004.</ref> Realtor [[John Carr]] nearly arranged a sale to restaurateurs Samantha Martin and André Neyrey, but permitting problems forced them to withdraw their offer.<ref>"Hopkins sale put on back burner." ''Pensacola News Journal'', October 19, 2004.</ref> The house was purchased for $340,000 on [[July 5]], [[2005]] by Elise and Don Gordon, who turned it into a private residence and auctioned its contents.<ref>"A historic occasion." ''Pensacola News Journal'', September 18, 2005.</ref> There are no plans to reopen the restaurant at a new location.