When

A casual atmosphere and delicious fine dining is what could be expected at the Anchor Inn, which was located on the beautiful Bay of Gull Lake at 5717 Bayview, (later 12305 E. “D” Ave.) just off of M-89. It was conveniently located midway between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek and attracted customers from both cities.

The property that would become home to the Anchor Inn began as a residence on that Bayview corner.

Behind the home on the hillside (that would later became the Anchor Inn’s parking lot), was the site of the first outdoor walk-in theatre in the state of Michigan. Silent movie lovers would sit on benches scattered around the hillside to enjoy the antics of Charlie Chaplin and other silent movie greats, in the era during the great depression.

A local woman known as, Ma Norton, converted the house into a restaurant, naming it Mrs. Norton’s Cottage Inn. This eventually became the main bar at the Anchor Inn. Ownership passed from Ma Norton to Robert Yauch, who applied and was awarded the first liquor license on that Bayview location. He ran it as a summer resort bar that was open just six months of the year.

Yauch added on the Hunt Room, an open-air veranda that overlooked the Bay of Gull Lake. The view became a bit obstructed when Gull Lake Marina built their warehouse.

The property was sold in the early 1950’s to Kenneth and Marian Howk. They quickly went to work modernizing the dining facilities, and enlarging the kitchen to focus more on the food business.

These changes attracted many hungry and thirsty customers and the business flourished. To keep up with the increased business, they enclosed the Hunt Room and added two extensions, the Cypress Room and the Starboard Room. These additions allowed for diners to get a clearer view of the bay.

The Howk’s daughter, Judy, was introduced to Ted Nowak, a new bartender hired at the Inn in 1966 and they quickly became an item. Nowak was no stranger to the restaurant business; his parents owned and operated Louie’s in Kalamazoo. The couple married in 1967 and worked alongside Judy’s parents. Judy & Ted managed and operated the business from 1969 - 1988, while the senior Howk’s enjoyed semi-retirement and then retirement. Judy’s brother, Jerry Nowak ran the kitchen as the head chef. The Anchor Inn was a family affair.

The atmosphere at the Anchor Inn was casual – in the dining room diners often donned their Bermuda shorts. Shirts and some sort of footwear were the only dress code requirements, It wasn’t unusual to see people in bar in their bathing suits, which wasn’t allowed in the dining room.

The walls were adorned with photographs of the area from the past. A huge stuffed sailfish was also part of their memorable décor.

The Anchor Inn was open yearround. In the summertime they operated long hours from 11am-11pm and the bar was open until 2am. Many out of town quests frequented the Anchor Inn during the summer season – boaters, golfers and swimmers from all over Michigan and beyond. During the winter months the year-round, local Gull Lake residents kept the business afloat.

The food specialties at the Anchor Inn included aged prime rib, a variety of seafood options (including smoked oysters), baby-back barbecued spare ribs and beef sirloin tips, to name a few.

Former patrons shared their fond memories on the popular Vanished Kalamazoo Facebook page, including: “We used to go by boat and get the relish tray and hamburgers when we were kids.” “I remember many a meal sitting outside looking at the lake with my Grandparents.” “I remember the float planes that landed and taxied to the pier and tied up for both the Anchor and Bay View ... watched them all the while until they left and taxied to the mouth of the Bay and then took off.” “My husband took me to there on our first date – it wss amazing. “ Our rehearsal dinner was there.” “It was a prom date destination.”

A fire in 1988 unfortunately marked the end of the Anchor Inn. Ted & Judy started a catering business, Catering by Judy, and continued to work alongside each other. The property changed hands, was repaired and remodeled and reopened as the Gull Lake Café in 1990. The Café successfully ran for several years before closing in 2005ending the age of fine dining on this Bayview corner. The building and parking lot were raised and is now a large grassy hill.

Jackie Merriam

Sources include: Greater Guide, volume VIII, No. 4, Kalamazoo Dining Guide 1978-1979, Vanished Kalamazoo Facebook page, Gull Lake Michigan History FB page, betzlerlifestory.com/ obituaries/Thaddeus-ted-Nowak-jr.

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