Wood Orchard Market is preparing for a busy season. Customers are already eagerly awaiting the cherry and apple cider donuts, salsas, fudge and more, said owner Crista Kochanski.
“They consider this the true first day of spring," she said. "Now that Wood Orchard Market is open.“
Traffic was slow last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Kochanski believes 2021 will be just as busy, if not more, than typical years.
“What we will see, I think, is more people traveling, more people more comfortable being out and being out in a crowd," she said. "So I think we’re going to see a really wonderful group of visitors this year in the county.“
Already in 2021, they’re dealing with similar issues they had last year.
“We still face challenges with COVID, we’re still facing supply chain issues," she said. "And door county is faced with a massive employee shortage.“
Fudge master Rebecca Courchaine is up for the challenge.
“I’m ready," she said. "I’ve got a good feeling about the season. I know we’re always tight with staff and everything, but the staff that we had last year most of them are coming back this year, so I think we’re very well prepared, especially back here in this corner. We’re ready for anything. Bring it on.“
Wood Orchard Market has opened every season, for more than 20 years.
“We try to tout ourselves as a family friendly market, we’re a family owned market," said Kochanski. "You’re going to see my mom here, you’re going to see my kids here.“
Kochanski's favorite part about being open is seeing the customers that come back year after year.
"That is the best part about this business," she said. "People choose us to spend their vacation time, and that’s such an honor, and we don’t take that for granted.“
Wood Orchard Market is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can call ahead with bakery orders, at (920) 868-2334. Next week for mothers day, if you bring mom in, she gets a free piece of fudge.
