After people invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in Door Peninsula real estate, there’s no reason for them to leave home, so to speak, to buy furniture.
That’s the idea behind a group called the Home Furnishings Guild of Door County. It’s made up of owners of local furniture stores, who came together last year, concerned and perplexed by sightings of furniture company trucks from distant areas.

“I looked out my door and saw a truck from Chicago go by, then one from Green Bay. Why?” asked Nathan Nichols, owner of Nathan Nichols & Company, Baileys Harbor. “I have been in the (home furnishings) business for 30 years and, in my estimation, Door County has all the furniture collections, all the types and price points anyone can want.”

So Nichols called together his Peninsula colleagues to discuss the furnishing lines and unique services offered right here. The resulting Guild formed goals to heighten awareness of furniture and services available in Door County, sponsor education programs and fund various nonprofit causes through local furnishings sales.

“The big deal is advertising and getting to people who are buying real estate up here to please give us a chance and buy from us,” Nichols said.

The idea of keeping business local actually helps everyone and not just the furniture companies, according to Nichols, who has expanded his shop over recent years. He carries Baker, Milling Road, Palecek and Hancock & Moore lines.

He explained that buying locally helps to ensure the small entrepreneurial companies will remain on the Peninsula.

In addition to Nathan Nichols and Company, the Guild includes Celeste Wegman Interiors, Ephraim; Door County Nature Works, Egg Harbor; McKeefry & Yeoman, Ephraim; and Sister Bay Trading Co.
“We are here to serve you, whatever you want. We can meet your needs,” said Celeste Wegman, interior designer and owner of Celeste Wegman Interiors and City Farmer (also in Ephraim). “You can stay here. The quality is here.”

The furniture brands in her store include Henredon, Hickory Chair, Drexel Heritage, Lauren and Seabrook Classics.

The local businesses may also work out packages for homeowners who are on budgets.

“Between us, we have it all covered. We all offer a good value for second home owners and people working on a budget,” added Polly Helm, owner of Door County Nature Works, which carries furnishings associated with a casual Door County look.

The breadth of offerings goes beyond furniture sales, according to the Guild.

The stores offer interior design services, and Sister Bay Trading Co. has appliances, flooring, cabinetry and countertops, as well. McKeefry & Yeoman sells French Heritage and Lorts furniture lines and presents locally grown fresh flowers.

At the stores, customers can ask about merchandise delivery, which may be free within Door County. And, in many cases, people deal direct with the store owner, who lives on the Peninsula. Some even live above their shops.

“When you come in, you are talking to the owner,” Nichols said. “We live here, and we stand behind our furniture. You can see me at dinner at a restaurant in town and say, ‘I had a problem with that sofa.’”

In addition to heightening awareness of its quality merchandise and unique services, the Guild is also coordinating sales events to benefit local causes. One such effort is slated for April 26, when a percentage of profits from sales will be donated to the Door County Green Fund.

The Door County Green Fund, founded in 1998, is a nonprofit organization which contributes to the protection of open space areas and unique quality of Peninsula life.

“Our industry as a whole has become very environmentally conscious,” Helm said. “And everyone has chosen Door County for a reason — its natural beauty. So our goal was to come up with an organization that preserves the natural beauty of Door County.”

Nichols added that sales on other dates (to be determined) may benefit organizations which aid children, benefit the homeless and support other causes.

“We are all working hard,” Helm said of the group. “We want homeowners to know there are people who live here who can help.”

Donna Marie Pocius, an Egg Harbor, Wis.-based freelance writer, writes about decorating, travel, the arts and business. Contact her at
donnamarie@dcwis.com