A century or so ago, there was a quaint village half way up Wisconsin’s Door County peninsula, called Egg Harbor.   At the north end of Egg Harbor, a modest house was built high on the bluff, affording a spectacular view of Lake Michigan.  A hundred years later, a woman came upon that modest dwelling and immediately a vision was born.  It took time, creativity and extensive renovation for that vision to manifest.  It was christened “The Bridge.”

The Bridge opened its doors in 2000 as a coffee shop/used bookstore.  The Bridge has changed form many times over, and continues to change daily.   Today, The Bridge is a stop that, once discovered, visitors return from season to season, year after year. Customers often comment that The Bridge’s espresso drinks rival those found in the chain coffee shops in the big cities.  Furthermore, many of those who have run the coffee house circuit around the Door County, single out The Bridge’s mochas as the best.

Customers also comment on the fact that they can leave The Bridge having spent only 30 bucks on a bag full of books when back in the city two books would cost decidedly more than that.  Besides the great value on The Bridge’s used and new books (at used book prices), customers also marvel in the vast selection; rare books, old books, current books, out-of-print books.  A visitor from Britain, for example, was delighted one summer that he had found a great-priced, out-of-print book on Stonehenge.  For him, this was a treasure he had been seeking for years, after having grown up within the shadows of this landmark.

Besides providing beverages, snacks of all sorts, lunch all day long, and great books, The Bridge houses its own fine art gallery.  The majority of our artists are Door County residents, or come to Door County often, finding necessary inspiration here.  Colorful walls and natural sunlight create a perfect combination to show off our quality collection.

Customers never cease to instantly “slow down” the minute they walk through the front door.  Few know exactly why this is, but without question, the spectacular lake view can be an elixir unto itself.  Then there is also the sun pouring through the wrap-around windows, upstairs and down, warming hearts as much as bodies.   Bird lovers cherish the bird-viewing opportunity amongst the mature trees just outside.  Imagine eating lunch while watching, without the need of binoculars, a resident pileated woodpecker seeking its own lunch upon the two-century old white oak directly out the side window, or a woodchuck digging in the garden below searching out a few tender morsels. 

At The Bridge: strangers meet strangers and become friends; locals meet visitors and have enlightening moments; poets share poetry; musicians share music; neighbors come to talk politics; a home-schooler comes for weekly lessons with his instructor; a teacher or a grandparent come to grab the latest best deals in the children’s section; actors meet with their directors to prepare for the next local presentation; village employees meet to let their hair down and have a simple but healthy sandwich; internet addicts and professionals come for wireless high-speed internet access; those seeking to meet their real estate needs through a real estate office located at the lower level of The Bridge often use The Bridge as a “recharging” station before, after, and between showings. 

Indeed, to enter The Bridge, is to enter a memorable experience.

Related Links:

• Quest Realty