About

Our Story

Born and raised in Rochester, Michigan Louis Carlisle Walker was an internationally known industrialist and well-known philanthropist emerging from our very own Muskegon, MI. L.C. Walker co-founded the Shaw-Walker Furniture Company, manufacturing office furniture. In 1902 L.C. Walker took on sole ownership thus resulting in a new direction of the company; the company began expanding its product line to better support its local educational entities and libraries. Providing products such as a new payroll system, office desks and fire-proof file cabinets. More than a businessman, L.C. brought a key focus to Muskegon’s current economic and civic lifestyles.

L.C. was an active member on the Board of Education while providing avid support towards the Hackley Library and the Hackley Art Gallery. L.C. Walker was a member of several local civic organizations here in Muskegon, including the Greater Muskegon Chamber of Commerce; Muskegon’s Ware Chest campaigns; Walker Park in North Muskegon plus countless private benefactions. And of course, one of L.C. Walker’s many gifts given back his community; Walker donated the funds to build the L.C. Walker Arena. Through these, the community and its citizens have benefited and will continue to benefit from the benevolence of L.C. Walker.

L.C. Walker is one of Muskegon’s most well-known community activists, philanthropists and leaders. It is with his selflessness for others, drive for community growth and unrelentless passion for challenging the status quo that we as a community pay Homage to Louis Carlisle Walker.

“It is high time we awoke to the fact that leisure is an honest-to-goodness product. It is not mere idleness. Leisure forms the punctuation marks of an occupied existence. It is the sauce of life.”

It is with passion for our craft that we challenge the “Gold Standard” striving to build creative locally sourced culinary or “sauce” paired with crafted spirits available to our community. With leisure focus in mind, Walker’s is a place for our locals be at home, it is a place for our visitors to relax and rejoice. Walker’s is meant to be the best in all of us by setting the table for an experience and night to remember.

We are proud to introduce to you “Walker’s – An American Brasserie” and “The Foundation”.

our Team

Peter Birk

Executive Chef
Parkland Properties

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Evan Zabawa

General Manager
Walker’s

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Craig French

Chef de Cuisine Banquets
Parkland Properties

Chef Craig French born and raised in Bridgeport, Michigan. Chef first developed his passion for food and beverage as a result of spending time with his grandmother in the kitchen at home. Craig took that passion to Muskegon attending the Culinary Institute of Michigan earning his degree in Food and Beverage Management. Seeing the potential of a revitalized downtown, Craig decided to stay where he began his career with us at The Lake House Water Front Grille. Craig built his way up from the bottom, working for everything he has today, serving in roles such as Dishwasher, Prep Cook, Line Cook and Leadership. It is Craigs refusal over the past 10+ years to be outworked that has led him to where he is today. We are pleased to announce Craig French as our Executive Chef of Banquets for Parkland Properties. Chef Craig works closely with our Chef de Cuisines at each property as well as his mentor/leader Jaime Knudsen. When Craig is not working, he loves spending time at home with his husband, baking, gardening and crafting.