The announcement came this afternoon during the DCEDC annual investors meeting at Stone Harbor Resort & Conference Center in Sturgeon Bay.

J.J.'s & La Puerta Restaurant in Sister Bay

Offering everything from burgers and Mexican cuisine to fine dining, JJ and Kristine Johnson are the owners of JJs/La Puerta and the Waterfront in Sister Bay, and their newest venture, JJ’s of Jacksonport (“Triple J’s”). Over the past thirty years, this year’s award winners have created many successful businesses, including retail t-shirt shops and three busy restaurants in Northern Door County, catering not only to seasonal residents and vacationers, but also to very loyal local Door County patrons.

These entrepreneurs have survived and overcome more than the usual share of obstacles faced by business owners. Just last year, their signature location in Sister Bay suffered a devastating fire that forced them to close the restaurant’s doors for six months. At the same time, they were being challenged by the process of opening their third location.

They employ fifteen people year round in Northern Door, which is significant for an area with a seasonally fluctuating economy. That number historically climbs to between forty and fifty during the busy summer months. The number is likely to go up even more in 2010, as this will be the first summer they will have all three restaurants open for business. They also contribute to the community through quiet but very steady and generous support of a number of local charitable causes.

“It is our pleasure to recognize JJ and Kris with the Entrepreneur of the Year award,” says DCEDC Executive Director Bill Chaudoir. “They have built a strong reputation in Door County, based on their desire to serve people quality food and provide a great environment. Their contributions to our economy and our community are almost incalculable. We wish them nothing but continued success.”

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award celebrates those individuals who have taken the initiative to start and grow a successful small business in Door County. Eligible businesses include those with fewer than 50 employees, exhibiting exciting growth potential and that have at least three years of successful business experience. Last year’s winner was Roger Utnehmer, President and CEO of Nicolet Broadcasting and the radio stations of DoorCountyDailyNews.com.

The Door County Economic Development Corporation is a public/private partnership dedicated to improving the economic vitality of the county and its residents. Founded in 1989, DCEDC has been successful in helping existing businesses create and retain thousands of jobs through a myriad of programs and initiatives. Additionally, DCEDC places strong emphasis on fostering entrepreneurial instincts in county residents as well as those who vacation on the Door County Peninsula. Door County Economic Development Corporation offices are located within the small business incubator DCEDC founded in 1997 at 185 East Walnut Street in the Sturgeon Bay Industrial Park.

On January 28, 2010 Door County Style Magazine reported the good news that Women’s Employment Project, Inc. (WEP) was awarded funding from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to continue the Door County Transportation Options Program (DCTOP) in 2010.

Door-Tran Mobility Manager, Pam Busch says,”On Wednesday, February 10, Applebee’s will donate 15% of the guest check to Door-Tran and the Door County Transportation Options Program. Print and bring the flyer with you when you dine in or call ahead and carry out. Please, tell everyone you know – help spread the word!”

Click for a menu… from Sturgeon Bay Applebee’s.

Click for Flyer

The flyer must be presented to validate your endorsement.
Just print this flyer and bring it along…

Sarah and Kate Janquart (l to r)

“We will be open all winter, seven days a week, from 8 am to 5 pm,” says Kate. “We offer Alterra coffee and fresh baked goods everyday, as well as the new installation of Gills Rock Movie Rental, featuring a large and eclectic variety of films for rent.”

The Films are based on their extensive personal collection and consists of DVDs and VHS, both movies and collected editions of seasonal  TV shows.

Kate explains further, “There are over 300 movies. I think… should I go count? Wait…I dont want to know!”

The DVDs are $2.50 a disc for a two-night rental and the VHS tapes are $1.50.

“The cat with the specs would be me,” says Kate. “The dog is, Vincent Frances White-Touch and the lovely lady beside me  is my cousin Sarah or Haras as she is know through out our group of friends.”

Vinny and friends...

Vinny is an American Staffordshire Terrier mixed with another mystery terrier. He was rescued from while they lived in Milwaukee as Kate explains, “…about a year and 16 days ago …not that I’m counting or anything of that nature.”

He’s a good boy, but he has a minor fear of men due to a past which he still refuses to talk about.

For the past 8 summers Debra Hadraba has been bringing her creative spark from St. Paul, Minnesota to Door County to train staff and manage operations at Julie’s Cafe located at the Fish Creek entrance to Peninsula State Park.

“Over the years, I began to ‘work’ more and create less,” she explains. “I let pieces of myself fade away until I didn’t recognize myself anymore. It felt safer than being me. While this may be true, it was painful and lonely. I felt like my spirit was dying. I know what it is like to suffer in silence so am willing to be vulnerable and share my experience, my strength and my hope.”

And she does so at HonorYourTruth.com, an emerging Website with links to her vociferous Brave Heart Women blog, a site with almost 3,000 post entries. Not only does she write from her heart, she is an equally dedicated videoblogger. Debra’s Honor Your Truth “Is It True?” Series just logged Episode Fifty-Two, “Peace is the Word,” another crazy, zany performance followed by a very thoughtful, pensive dialogue.

“I am a singer/songwriter/artist. I love to write. I am honoring my truth now and where it will lead me is uncertain and to know it is unnecessary,” Debra says. “As a little girl, I said all I wanted was to help people. I want to do that now in whatever way I am led to, no matter how scary.”