Company history
In 1972, John Snyder decided that Missaukee county ought to have a nice restaurant with cocktail lounge of its' very own. Partnering with friend John Inman, the two Johns, Snyder and Inman, settled on a new business name, Mr. Johns' Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge. Together with local contractors and volunteer labor, Snyder and Inman built and opened in their business in 1973. Serving steaks, prime rib and seafood, along with quality wines and cocktails, the concept was an immediate hit!
Among the earliest waitresses at Mr. Johns' was
Helen Satchell, a fourth generation daughter of Missaukee county, and great-granddaughter of Charles Merritt, founder of local village Merritt, Michigan. From 1975 to 1985, with occasional breaks to birth three sons, Helen served the earliest customers of the new business. In 1985, partnering with parents Paul and Bonnie Long, Helen and her husband, Terry, purchased Mr. Johns, and re-christened it Mr. Johns' Food & Spirits. Today, Mr. Johns' is serving a third generation of local and seasonal residents of Missaukee county. As in the beginning, Mr. Johns' is the favorite stop for discerning diners.