 Gieriet called the popular treat “pie à la mode.” It was reported in the "Duluth Herald" that Duluthians in the 1880s often mispronounced the local invention as “ mode.” In 1886, the "Duluth Weekly Tribune" stated the Hotel la Perl had gained a “first-class reputation” under Gieriet's management.John continued to operate the Hotel la Perl until his wife became very ill in 1886.He ended up selling the hotel in August of that year.