Door County Business Briefs

• Rachel Haas, owner of Drink Coffee in Sister Bay, has expanded her title to include “The Cookie Lady.” Using the best ingredients and local products whenever possible, Haas’ delicious cookies are sure to be a hit near and far.

With a recently launched Web site, http://www.cookieladyonline.com, Haas bakes, packs and ships cookies anywhere in the lower 48. The Web site enables people to order cookies, join the cookie of the month club and send cookie bouquets! The Cookie Lady’s bouquets and cookies make perfect gifts for every occasion – especially the holidays. The new Web site also accepts credit card payments.

For more information, call Haas at 920.854.1155 or email [email protected].

• The Door County Business Development Center is pleased to announce the growth of Trillium Herbal Company and Door County Natural Stone Surfaces.

Trillium Herbal Company recently leased an additional 693 square feet in the Business Development Center, in order to consolidate their manufacturing, shipping and warehouse facilities. (www.trilliumorganics.com)

Door County Natural Stone Surfaces is a full-service marble and granite fabrication company, providing custom-cut stone countertops for kitchens, bathrooms and fireplaces in residential and commercial applications. They have nearly doubled their sales since inception and recently added their fourth employee. (www.naturalstonesurfaces.biz)

For more information regarding the available space in the Door County Business Development Center, located in the Sturgeon Bay Industrial Park, contact Mary Paitrick, DCEDC Operations Manager at 920.743.3113 x202 or [email protected].

• The Ephraim Business Council (EBC) recently announced the opening of its temporary winter Visitor Information Center. Beginning Friday, Nov. 28 the building located at 10329 Water Street/Hwy. 42 in north Ephraim will serve as headquarters for the EBC through April, opening its doors to visitors and also providing an office and work space for the EBC’s Tourism Administrator, Rachel Willems.

The EBC Board of Directors considers the winter Visitor Information Center location strictly temporary, and will return to their waterfront location at 10049 Water Street/Hwy. 42 May through October.

Ephraim’s winter Visitor Information Center will be open Fridays 10 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 5 pm and Sundays 10 am – 2 pm. For more information visit Ephraim-DoorCounty.com or call 920. 854.4989.

• On Saturday, November 29, Sister Bay Trading Company will celebrate the season by hosting their annual Holiday Open House from 10 am – 6 pm.

The always stunning store will be transformed into a downright breathtaking experience at Christmastime, and the staff is going overboard with more holiday decorations, demonstrations, gifts and party ideas than ever before. The entire store will be marked 20 – 50 percent off.

The day promises to be a true feast for the senses. Guests will be treated to piano music by Kim LaRae, as well as be entertained by carolers, while being served tempting wines and scrumptious hot hors d’oeuvres. Later, customers are invited to take a sleigh ride through the Sister Bay countryside courtesy of John Mayberry.

Sister Bay Trading Company is located at 2477 Hwy. 42. For more information call 920.854.2554 or visit http://www.sisterbaytrading.com.

• The Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) and the UW-Green Bay Small Business Development Center are proud to sponsor the eighth annual NxLevel™ Entrepreneurial Training course in Door County. Beginning February 2 at NWTC-Sturgeon Bay, this 10-week course takes students through a step-by-step approach to writing a professional business plan. The course is designed for those who are considering starting their own business, existing small businesses struggling to get a handle on all the details or successful businesses looking to grow.

As a preview to the course, DCEDC and the Sturgeon Bay Noon Rotary Club will host a free introduction to business-planning seminar, "Starting a Business in Door County," on Monday, January 12, 6 – 8 pm at NWTC-Sturgeon Bay. This one-evening course will talk about some of the basics that go into a start-up business.

Visit http://www.doorcountybusiness.com/pdfs/registrationpack2009.pdf for registration forms and additional information.

• Orchard Country Winery & Market has released a new wine to celebrate the holidays. A taste of fresh tart cranberries is the latest addition to the award winning wine list at Orchard Country Winery & Market. The tasting room, which is open 10 am – 4 pm (closed on Wednesdays and Christmas Day), offers complimentary tastes of 34 distinct wines, such as the new Cranberry Delight, as well as the Cherry Christmas.

Orchard Country is your one stop shop for the holidays with hundreds of Door County and Wisconsin made products, an array of baskets and gift boxes, along with fresh bakery items and gift certificates.

The shipping department maintains regular hours also, and orders placed by December 18 will be guaranteed a Christmas delivery. Custom gift wrapping is available.

Orchard Country Winery & Market, located at 9197 Highway 42 just south of Fish Creek. Shop online at http://www.orchardcountry.com. Phone orders are also available at 920.868.3479.

• The Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) is pleased to announce that the organization will offer monthly office hours in Northern Door County beginning in December 2008. The second Wednesday of each month, DCEDC Economic Development Manager Sam Perlman will offer free, one-on-one business counseling sessions at the Baileys Harbor Town Hall. The monthly Northern Door office hours begin Wednesday, December 10 at 1 pm. An appointment is requested and can be made by contacting Perlman at 920.743.3113 x 204 or via email at [email protected]. Walk-ins are also welcome, based on scheduling.

• The Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) and the UW-Green Bay Small Business Development Center will be offering free, one-on-one business counseling sessions on Thursday, December 4, 9 am – 5 pm, for any new or existing business owners in Door County. Chuck Brys, Business Counselor for the Small Business Development Center, will be providing advice on business planning, financing and other issues. Individual, confidential sessions will be held at the Door County Business Development Center, 185 East Walnut Street, Sturgeon Bay. An appointment is required and can be made by contacting Janet Frick-Warecki at 920.743.3113 x 200 or via email at janet@ doorcountybusiness.com.