I was simply astounded by the restaurant. It was a double-decker building that sat at the end of the pier. When you walked inside, you felt like you were still outside, due to all of the windows and sliding glass doors. The water side of the restaurant was surrounded on three sides by a huge deck that reminded me of a lovely home with a wrap-around porch that jutted out over the water. The place was utterly fantastic, and I said as much to the group.

Jonah had been right. My eyes were drawn to the huge aquariums that were dotted throughout the restaurant. I could envision them being filled with crystal blue water and colorful fish. They would provide eye-catching beauty for the inside and would perfectly complement the natural wonder of the outdoor view that was seen from all angles in the dining room.

“The marina is right there.” Sam pointed as we went outside to check out the views from the outdoor tables. On the upper deck, I was pleasantly surprised once again. Right next to the island oasis bar and stage for outdoor live music, was our booth from Joe’s Restaurant. Every last detail had been moved and recreated at this location, and it made this new restaurant feel like home. The only difference was a tiny brass plaque bolted to the edge of the table that read, “Reserved on Sunday nights.”

Tears pooled in my eyes as I looked around at our beautiful new spot. It was absolutely perfect. I sat down at our booth and took a moment to drink it all in.

“Is the wind a little chilly up here?” Sam asked. I could tell by the way that his eyes were sparkling that he had one more surprise in store for us.

“Maybe a little,” I humored him.

He went behind the bar, pushed a button and thick windows silently raised up from the half-walls that surrounded the deck. The windows went all the way up to the roof overhang, sealing us in and protecting us from the outdoor elements that could sometimes be harsh on a lake in Michigan.

The man had honestly thought of everything, and we all gushed about what a fantastic job he had done with the place. This was the kind of restaurant that would be teeming with patrons, both local and tourists. The relaxed bar would provide a wonderful spot to hang out and listen to live music. It would be a terrific business for Harbor Shores, and if the rest of Sam’s changes included anything like this, I couldn’t wait to see them.