Here and There

What a pleasure it is to get my Christmas shopping done on the Door Peninsula. The stores are open with fantastic sales, it’s easy to park and the ambiance cannot be beat.

Last Wednesday, I swung by Third Ave., Sturgeon Bay, after a work-related meeting and was able to find a quality bike on sale at DC Bikes for my husband. I worked with the owner, Leif, and enjoyed a hassle-free experience and a cool setting in a vintage building with exposed brick walls.

Nearby is Book World. While I was there for just 10 minutes (well, being a writer I was probably there more like an hour) browsing titles, about 15 calls came in from people wanting to reserve the Sports Illustrated Issue with Brett Favre. He was recently named sportsman of the year. The store was putting people on a list. Book World has a lot to offer and is open daily; so is Passtimes Books in Sister Bay. Both have regional Door County sections.

Curt’s Spice Co. & Oilierie, Fish Creek, was hopping on the weekend, for sure. The owner Curt takes the time to chat with each customer about his ideas for using olive oil. This is the place, where you sample flavored olive oils from Italy, Greece, Spain and beyond. My fave is the macadamia nut oil.

Tannenbaum Holiday Shop, Sister Bay, offered 40 percent off all merchandise last weekend. Tannenbaum is housed in a converted Lutheran Church and has large gothic-style windows and many rooms to roam. Contact Tannenbaum’s owners Sue Ann and Ron Flittner to be on their e-newsletter list so you can become aware of sales like that. I was able to pick up a lovely piece, made in Italy, for my holiday decorating this year. Tannenbaum serves free cookies and coffee on Saturdays year-round.

Renard’s Cheese, Sturgeon Bay, seems well-prepared for holiday shoppers. All sizes of gift boxes are available—some with more cheese than others. And some have cheese as well as other Door County treats—cherries, coffee and caramels.
The boxes for shipping gifts are on display in the store, where you can--and this is the best part-- sample the cheese.

Oh, and we have some snow on the ground—varies from an inch to a few inches in areas. And this seems to be more of a base at this time than the last few years. That kind of bodes well for winter activities—providing we get more of the fluffy and light kind on top of the base. Until next time, see you here and there on the Door Peninsula, Donna Marie Pocius, freelance writer.