Anchorage Boat Dock, the parent company of 1967 Lakeside Dining, has been family-owned and operated by the Poole family for nearly 60 years. Charlie and Susanne Poole purchased the marina in 1967, when Lake Burton was little more than a quiet retreat with a few family cabins and a couple of jon boats tracing the shoreline. At the time, the marina offered minimal infrastructure — just a few gas pumps, a small convenience store, and a handful of wet storage slips for mooring customers.

Charlie and Susanne lived on the property in a house that came with the marina, where they raised their children, Allison and Seth, for over 30 years. During their ownership, they made numerous improvements to Anchorage, including the addition of dry storage, a retail and apparel store, and expanded wet slips.

In 2003, after moving out of their home at the marina, the house sat vacant for about a year until Seth’s wife, Nikki, opened a sandwich shop there in 2004 — Take It on the Lake! The Poole family has always shared a deep love for food. Susanne was known for her weekly family dinners, where her cooking brought everyone together. It was through these gatherings that Emma, Nikki and Seth’s daughter, developed her passion for the culinary arts.

Emma began her formal training at AB Tech in Asheville, North Carolina. During her summers home from culinary school, she worked at Take It on the Lake, as well as at local establishments like Harvest Habersham and Grapes & Beans. After graduating, Emma offered private chef services, crafting personalized menus ranging from authentic Thai cuisine to classic Italian dishes, tailored to each client’s tastes.

After several years of experience and growth, Emma was ready to evolve her culinary vision. With her family’s help, she transformed Take It on the Lake and her private dining work into a larger establishment — 1967 Lakeside Dining — paying homage to her grandparents’ and parents’ lasting contributions to both Lake Burton and her love of the culinary world.