Earning
a Bachelors Degree from Albion College in History, Win Schuler moved
to Wakefield in the Upper Peninsula in 1930 and became an educator and
football coach. Although, his official career as a teacher was short
lived, his ability to coach and serve as a leader in the restaurant
and tourism industry has proven timeless.
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Win
Schuler receives one of his many awards in a 1950 ceremony.
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In
1934 Winston Schuler returned home to manage his father's hotel and
restaurant, alongside his brother, Albert Jr. In a short period of time
Win created a nationally known institution in the Schuler name. He owned
and operated nine restaurants across Michigan and one in Indiana. Maintaining
his passion for Old English Inns, the restaurants were all adorned with
old English relics preserving the best of that heritage for Schuler's
patrons to enjoy while dining.
Schuler,
known for his graciousness as a host, was dubbed Michigan's Host with
the Most by Greater Guide Magazine in 1975, this title went hand
in hand in Marshall, already known as the City of Hospitality. He received
the Gold Plate Award in 1971 from the International Foodservice Manufacturers
Association, the greatest distinction the industry has to offer.
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Schuler's
Restaurant has won many awards during the years. Win looks at the
coveted Holiday Magazine award presented to Schuler's as one of
the finest!
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Win
was no stranger to hard work. He often worked fifteen hours a day, seven
days a week. His motto was to serve good hearty food in a comfortable
home-like atmosphere or better otherwise why would a guest want to come
out to eat, he would often ask. He made it a point to greet his guests
with a name and a smile, which proved to bring his patrons back time
and again.
Schuler
was an icon in the restaurant industry and also gave generously of his
time and talents for various institutions. He served as general chair
of Michigan Week in 1968, chairman of Michigan Day at the New York World's
Fair, chairman of the Calhoun County TB Christmas Seal program, chairman
of the Governor's Patron's Dinner, state finance chairman of the Michigan
Red Cross, Michigan Crusade chairman for the American Cancer Society,
served as secretary of Starr Commonwealth, the school for disadvantaged
boys in Albion, and president of the Greater Michigan Foundation the
sponsor of Michigan Week. His goal in 1968 when he chaired the event
was "to make Michigan the friendliest state in the union."
Win
Schuler was The Michigan Restaurant Association's president in 1965,
a role his grandson, Larry also fulfilled in 2002/2003.
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Win
Schuler with Joe Callahan of Automotive News (left) and E.M. "Del"
deWindt, Chairman of the Board of Eaton Yale & Towne Inc., proclaiming
victory for Marshall.
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Win
Schuler through hard work and diligence became a well-respected business
legend. He was known as an innovator in the industry as well. His Bar-Scheeze
was a home-grown recipe that was marketed extensively to grocery stores
in the Midwest. By using guest comments taken from comment cards, he
continued to improve upon his thriving business. He made shareholders
in the corporation out of his managers back in the 1960s and had a profit
sharing program for his employees in those years.
He
received numerous awards in the field of hospitality, including both
a 25 silver plate and 50-year gold plate for his many years of service
to the Michigan Restaurant Association.
Win
Schuler's became one of Michigan's and the country's top 50 U.S. Favorite
Restaurants, as stated in the American Business Magazine in 1955.
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The
75th anniversary celebration was a gala event with the three generations
pictured here in front of a giant ice sculpture.
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In
1960 Schuler was inducted into the American Restaurant Hall of Fame,
1961 he received the Award of Appreciation from the National Restaurant
Association, and in the 1962 publication of Duncan Hines Travel Book,
Schuler's was listed on the "Adventures in Good Eating" list.
1977
marked the 26th consecutive year in a row Holiday Magazine listed
Schuler's as one of its top award winning restaurants as America's finest.
Schuler's received its 5th consecutive honor as one of the 100 Best
Restaurants in the U.S. and Canada in Sales and Marketing Management
magazine in 1978.
Restaurant
& Institutions magazine's Ivy Award, given to restaurants that have
achieved great status and prestige in the industry, began in 1971. Schuler's
Restaurant won this Award of Distinction, the very first year it was
presented.