In 1954, Bill and Karin Atherton moved from Evergreen Park, IL to West Olive, MI where they owned and operated the Spreading Oaks Resort.
In 1960, The Athertons built the original Sandy Point Drive-In Restaurant on the corner of Tyler Street and Lakeshore Drive. This local hot spot served home cooked food and was a staple in Port Sheldon until the Fall of 1975 when a grease fire started. The employees exhausted all of the fire extinguishers but the fire progressed to the attic area and the building was a total loss.
In 1976, The Athertons built Sandy Point Restaurant on property that was once part of Spreading Oaks Resort. This is where the restaurant stands today. This fine dining establishment flourished and expanded through the years to include a 450 seat banquet facility that the residents referred to as “The Blue Room” due to it’s blue velvet walls and crystal chandeliers. The Blue Room hosted many events and featured entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, JR., Tommy Dorsey, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Buddy Rich, The Kingston Trio, as well as local favorites like “Stormin”.
In 1984, The Athertons sold the restaurant to Don and Judy Kuiper who owned it until 2005 when they sold it to Chad Daleke. Mr. Daleke operated it as Pigeon Lake Lodge until 2007 when the restaurant closed.
The building was remodeled and reopened as Sandy Point Beach House on January 1, 2013 by CDKI Dining Group. Since its reopening in 2013, Sandy Point Beach House in West Olive, MI has become known for its critically acclaimed fine dining, prime burgers and fresh seafood in a truly “beach house” atmosphere.
