It’s Gone Now, But the Knife & Fork Was a Popular Place in Its Day

Ah, the hey day of the former Pantlind Hotel that today we know at the Amway Grand Plaza.

The Pantlind was the class of Midwestern hotels in its day.

J. Boyd Pantlind bought the old Sweet's Hotel, on the left above looking north down Canal Street that we call Monroe today, and of course renamed it after himself. It wasn't until 1913, however, that Pantlind tore down the old, rickety Sweet's Hotel to build the grand building that we know today.

However, as all things do, it was on a huge decline in the 70s until Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel decided to buy it and turn it into the world class hotel it is today.

One of the cherished dining spots in the Pantlind back in the day, not classy but always good food, was the old Knife & Fork restaurant.

I swear, they forgot to take the orange barrels with them because they're still there!! Geez!

Breakfast, lunch and dinner was always available at the Knife & Fork. You could eat at the counter or have a table or booth, it didn't matter. It was one of those places where everybody knew your name!

Those were the days with the Backroom Saloon, the Penthouse Bar on the 10th floor, and more. Remember?

But, it had to change, and in 1979 change was coming as Amway bought the hotel and began selling off most furnishings.

Those were the days my friends, as Mary Hopkins sang, we thought they'd never end.