A Snoopy Collection That Gives Back
By Alexis Bohlinger
Mike’s on the Water, one of Macomb County’s favorite waterfront restaurants and hang out spots in St. Clair Shores, is known for bringing a unique fl air to the Nautical Mile from April to Thanksgiving time.
When you walk in the door you are immediately entranced by Mike LeFevre’s photos and gifts from around the world that line every inch of the walls and ceiling. The rooftop bar boasts a fully functioning food truck and on the way out to the parking lot, you can stop for dessert at the ice cream window. This beloved restaurant, however, is now home to another attraction; one of the biggest Snoopy collections in the U.S. Here, you will fi nd treasures from days gone by and toys that take you back to a time when things were simpler. The best part is it’s all for charity.
“It began in 1965,” said Owner Mike LeFevre. “I was almost 5-years-old and my dad brought my baby sister, Susan, home from the hospital. He had Susan in one arm and a plush Snoopy in the other. I grabbed it from his arms and slept with it that night.” As years went on, LeFevre continued to bolster his Snoopy collection through birthday and Christmas gifts, and later as an adult from trinkets he acquired through his world travels. What started as a hobby would years later reveal itself to have a much deeper meaning.
“I got a call on one of my trips that Susan had been diagnosed with late stage breast cancer,” said LeFevre. Having beaten cancer himself, LeFevre sat with his sister every step of the way but unfortunately Susan lost her battle 12 years ago, a couple years after Mike’s On The Water opened its doors.”
“She was the reason I started Mike’s on the Water and although I didn’t know it at the time, I realized I could honor her life and provide an avenue to help others through this collection.”
Since October 2023, more than $15,000 has been donated to charities like Grosse Pointe Crisis Club, St. Clair Shores Cops for Kids, Family Center, Wigs 4 Kids, Holley Institute, The Helm of Grosse Pointe, Full Circle, Racing for Kids, and JT Mestdagh Foundation. And this fall there’s still time to collect more for other charities. In September all funds raised will go to Kids On the Go, an organization helping kids with Autism.
Patrons can book the room, which sits adjacent to the restaurant, for parties of up to 35 people. During their visit, LeFevre will give them a tour of the museum and share stories about his collection. “When you book the room, I just ask that you give a small donation of $5 to $20 per guest and at the end of every month, we open the box and give the money to a local charity.”
As LeFevre walks the room and recants stories of his life and childhood, he has a look of boy-like wonder on his face. He also reminisces about his sister. “I can’t walk in here and not be fl ooded with memories of my family and childhood.” He continued, “Life is all about passion. A passion to do something good in this world and a passion to help others and that is exactly what this collection has allowed me to do.”
