St Clair Shores Restaurant Guide

Ardmore Park Place, once known as the Schneider Farm, was built after the civil war in the 1870's. The original property was 640 acres. The home is built of solid brick construction with walls 18'' thick, rising three stories high. The house remained the Schneiders' residence from the 1870's through the early 1900's during which time they raised 13 children.

A change of ownership led to the beginning of a colorful history that started during the Prohibition Era. The house became a bordello, blind pig, and gambling house. Accessible entry was only allowed with secret passwords. Once inside you were greeted by music of the times, table dancers and you could enjoy a bottle of beer for 5 cents. The second and third floors were left to the ladies of the night. A sentinel, placed on the roof, kept watch for those uninvited guests. Hidden passageways led the patrons to the woods behind the house.

At the end of prohibition, the house was purchased and converted to Reenies Lodge. It became a dining facility and ballroom with dancing to the big band sound. During the 1950's, the home became E.C. White's Furniture Store, which was in business until the early 1980's.

In 1986 Ray Domke and Larry Berdasono purchased the property and with the help of family and friends, spent their first year renovating the home to its original era. They called it Victoria Place House of Shoppes, with a little cafe and many boutiques. It remained Victoria Place until the year 2000.

The building went through many changes, but in 2008 Ray Domke and Larry Berdasono decided to reopen the building. They named it Ardmore Park Place with a cafe and several wonderful boutiques. It is St. Clair Shores' most prestigious and historical landmark.

We want to thank you for your patronage and for helping us make Ardmore Park Place what it is today.