Al Johnson’s Butik: Not Just for Tourists
By Laurel Ciohon
I picked the one of the snowiest afternoons of the winter to stop in Al Johnson’s Butik this winter – which was great because it made the typically very busy restaurant and Butik uncharacteristically quiet! The Butik at Al Johnson’s is quite an amazing store. I can remember shopping there with my grandmother as a child and always being able to pick out something special after feasting on Swedish pancakes and meatballs in the restaurant. My favorite was to scour the huge array Swedish candy and cookies. Some of the most memorable Christmas and birthday gifts I received growing up in Door County were beautiful Swedish sweaters or jewelry from Al’s too!
To this day, I can happily say that I still receive gifts from Al Johnson’s Butik. This last Christmas my mother got me fleece-lined leggings and a beautiful infinity scarf from Al’s. But the Butik carries so much more than just candy and clothing; you can find gifts for any occasion imaginable, as well as greeting cards, food, beer and wine, books, Swedish home décor, holiday items (a large Valentine’s Day section was on display this particular time of year), shoes, accessories, Al’s souvenirs, kids clothing and toys, and more!
As I browsed around the store, the lovely shop manager, Bryn Buselmier, clad in an Al Johnson’s signature dirndl (a traditional Scandinavian dress), pointed out some of her favorite items, as well as customer favorites. She even helped me pick out a new pair of Dansko clogs that were 25% off! I never plan on making purchases when I’m out interviewing for my shopping blog, but some items and sales are just too good to pass up!
Bryn mentioned that it’s always great to remind locals that Al Johnson’s Butik is a great place for everyone to shop because they carry such a wide variety of items! They have such a fantastic selection of gifts, making it the perfect place to truly find a unique item, including one of Bryn’s favorites - Swedish metal candleholders shaped as geometric birds. These gorgeous candleholders would fit into home décor ranging from modern to traditional!
Al Johnson’s Restaurant & Butik is open year-round, with their winter hours being 8am-3pm. Don’t let the road construction detours stop you from visiting Sister Bay and Al’s this winter – they’re open every day! Al Johnson’s is located at 10698 N. Bay Shore Drive. You can shop online with them 24/7, as well as brush up on your Al’s history and news, or to view their incredible “Goat Cam!” 920.854.26262, aljohnsons.com.