2020 NEW BUSINESSES: Amid Uncertainty, Entrepreneurs Charge Forward
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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