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2020 NEW BUSINESSES: Amid Uncertainty, Entrepreneurs Charge Forward

After the Great Recession of 2008-09, businesses throughout Door County struggled through difficult times. Many closed their doors, ending dreams and destroying livelihoods. But in the wake of what we had, at the time, considered to be a once-in-a-lifetime economic crisis, many entrepreneurs risked everything and continued pursuing their dreams. 

To acknowledge and honor that – and to highlight some positive economic news – we began publishing an annual list of new businesses, expansions and changes. 

Today, during our second great economic crisis in a dozen years, we do so again. 

In the face of the public-health and financial wreckage of COVID-19, local residents continue to take chances, pouring their hearts and souls into new ventures to add to the ever-evolving flavor, culture and needs of the Door County community. 

This list includes all new businesses and updates since we published our last list in May 2019. If you know of or own a business that’s not included, please email us at [email protected]. We’ll include it in a future issue. 

NEW BUSINESSES

BAILEYS HARBOR

Wally’s Weenie Wagon, downtown Baileys Harbor

Food truck serving Chicago-style hot dogs, gyros, poutine and more. 

Willow Clothing Company, 8085 Hwy 57

Men’s and women’s apparel and gifts.

Chives Food Trucks and Cocktail Bar

Chives has parked both of its food trucks at its new outdoor cocktail bar next door to its signature restaurant on Hwy 57. 

Clover and Ash, 8054 Hwy 57

Recently reconcepted to serve traditional Italian cooking in the former Yum Yum Tree space. 

BRUSSELS

Pioneer Pantry, 9690 School Road

Discount store offering a wide range of products, including dishware, toys, plants and paints. 

EPHRAIM

Binkhaven, Maple Grove Road

Norwegian cabin vacation rentals tucked into the woods between Ephraim and Fish Creek. 

Pearl Wine Cottage, 3058 Church St.

The cozy wine bar opened in the center of Ephraim during the summer of 2019. 

Prince of Pierogi, 9922 Water St.

Pierogis, Polish sausage, hunter’s stew and more. 

SISTER BAY

Al Johnson’s Retail Store, downtown Sister Bay

New, expanded retail space next door to Stabbur, Al Johnson’s outdoor beer garden.

Blackbird Bakeshop

Sara Unkefer’s bake shop specializing in custom cakes and pastries. 

Dovetail Acres Campground, 10282 Hwy 57

New campground and RV park located behind the Dovetail gas station and convenience store south of the village, officially in Liberty Grove. 

Fat Belly, North Highland Road

Burritos and bowls. Located next door to Johnson’s Park.

Golden Acupuncture, Country Walk Shops

Proprietor Mackenzie Schneider is an acupuncturist, herbalist and yoga instructor.

The Filling Station at Husby’s, 10641 Bay Shore Dr.

An extension of Husby’s Garage Bar that serves frozen drinks.

The Nook, Country Walk Shops

An inspirational work space for independent contractors and small business owners. 

Zero Sum, 10578 Country Walk Drive

Fresh fruit smoothies, S’Good waffles and muffins and local Isley coffee drinks.

STURGEON BAY

Bridge Up Brewing Taproom, 129 N. Madison Ave. 

Trent Snyder opened the taproom of his brewery downstairs from Sonny’s Pizzeria at the foot of the Michigan Street Bridge.

Caplan Studios Vault, 108 S. Madison Ave.

Fine-art photography and bracelets.

Darren’s Glass Service, 445 S. Grant Ave.

Window repair, washing and services. 

Door County Pedal Trolley, 129 N. Madison Ave.

Fourteen-passenger pedal trolley that’s available for private parties and public tours. 

Kim’s Boutique, 1433 Egg Harbor Road

Clothing, jewelry and little luxuries. 

Lawlss, 108 S. Madison Ave.

Coffee shop serving inventive drinks, creative coffee and pastries. Opened in the summer of 2019.

Marketplace by Bliss, 58 N. 3rd Ave.

Bliss will move from its longtime Jefferson Street location to the former Younkers location on 3rd Avenue this fall. 

Sunshine House Resale Store, 45 E. Walnut Ave.

Apparel, shoes, purses, housewares, home décor, furniture and more, with proceeds supporting the services of Sunshine House.

Sweet Willy’s Food Truck, 4100 Hwy 57

Food truck serving organic burgers, hot dogs, brats, Polish and Italian sausage. Opened in the summer of 2019. 

TJ Maxx, Cherry Point Mall, Egg Harbor Road

Discount furniture and clothing. 

JUDDVILLE

Bangkok Asian Takeout

Fresh Asian takeout from the Mojo Restaurant Group. Now serving out of Mojo Rosa’s in Egg Harbor, with plans to eventually move into the former Villaggio’s location. 

Write On, Door County’s Writing Center, 4177 Juddville Road

The new home of Write On, Door County will open in August.

NEW LOCATIONS OR NAMES

Bearded Heart, Baileys Harbor

The coffee shop that had been located in the small hut next to Door County Brewing Co. has moved down the street to a much larger building – the former home of Door Shakespeare.

Brilliant Stranger, Egg Harbor

This boutique clothier has moved into the former Matthew House Thrift Store location at 7896 Hwy 42.

Cutting Boards and More, Sturgeon Bay

The retailer has moved to 368 Jefferson St. 

Filament, Sturgeon Bay

Filament was previously known as Hillstrom Public Relations. 

Harbor Frozen Custard, Bailey Harbor

Formerly known as Custard’s Last Stan, it’s located next to the Harbor Fish Market at 8080 Hwy 57. 

Healthy Way Market, Sturgeon Bay

The grocery store featuring local and organic products moved a block down 3rd Avenue to a much larger space on the corner of Oregon Street and 3rd Avenue.

Huehns/Casperson Funeral Home, Sister Bay

Greg Casperson sold the family business to Huehns Funeral Home of Sturgeon Bay and sold the funeral home building to Al Johnson’s. Huehns has now moved its Sister Bay office to the former home of Starr Realty at 2594 S. Bay Shore Dr.

Reclaimed and Co. Jewelry, Sturgeon Bay

Jeweler Melanie Wahlen has moved from Jefferson Street to a new spot in the Park Place Mall on 3rd Avenue.

Red Oak Winery, Carlsville

The formerly Sturgeon Bay-based winery purchased a new location at 5781 Hwy 42.

Sister Bay Advancement Association, Sister Bay

The association moved its offices to the former Casperson Funeral Home property at 10668 Bay Shore Dr.

The Spoon, Sturgeon Bay

Formerly the Frozen Spoon, it’s located at the foot of the Maple to Oregon Street Bridge. 

Villaggio’s, Egg Harbor

The owners of the longtime Juddville restaurant have purchased the former Trio location on the corner of Highway 42 and County E, with plans to move Villaggios into the space in 2021. 

Wild Cherry Cottage Life, Sturgeon Bay

The shop is now located at 59 S. Madison Ave. 

NEW OWNERS

Door County Interiors, Egg Harbor

Fish Creek Market, Fish Creek

Green Gables Shops, Ephraim

Logan Creek Soap, Sturgeon Bay

Red Geranium, Baileys Harbor

Settlement Courtyard Inn, Fish Creek