On Deck: Clothing, Footwear & Accessories for Men & Women

By Laurel Ciohon

Making time to stop by On Deck Clothing Company in Fish Creek was very easy since they keep regular daily hours all winter! On Deck’s general manager, Mert Larsen, invited me to come by the men and women’s clothier that carries over 200 brands this winter, so I happily headed over to Fish Creek for some browsing and shopping on a sunny Thursday afternoon.

I was excited to find out immediately that everything in the store was 50% off, as there were signs in the windows and all around the store advertising the sale. When I say everything, I mean everything, including name-brand perfumes and colognes and Dooney & Burke purses that rarely, if ever, go on sale!

There are three On Deck locations in Door County - one in downtown Fish Creek, one on the hill in Sister Bay, and one on 3^rd Avenue in Sturgeon Bay. One misperception that Mert told me about On Deck is that the company’s three locations each carry the same merchandise.

The truth is that each On Deck store has its own unique and individual personality, while all still featuring classic and traditional sportswear lines and accessories. All merchandise is off top quality and is sold to its customers by a trained and friendly staff, something I experienced first-hand when I stopped in this particular day, as well as past shopping experiences I’ve had.

On Deck’s owner, Mitch Larson, and his family have a rich Door County background that stems back several generations. Mitch’s great-grandmother, Mrs. Wenzel Bunda, opened a grocery store in the late 1800s, which is the same building where the current Sister Bay On Deck location is.  Mrs. Bunda’s son, William Bunda, eventually took over the store, as well as leasing the Lundberg General Store in Fish Creek, the same building where the current Fish Creek On Deck location is.

Mitch’s grandparents and father were also very dedicated and influential in the Door County community. His grandmother, Hazel Elquist Larsen, worked at several restaurants, and his grandfather, Everett Larson, was a fisherman and cherry grower.  Mitch’s father, Wink Larson, ran summer fish boils and founded the former Nor-Ski Ridge, the ski hill in Fish Creek.

Mitch grew up working alongside his father and eventually brought all that hard work and attention to detail to On Deck Clothing Company. He has definitely made his Door County ancestors proud by following the entrepreneurial tradition, as On Deck Clothing Company has been in business for over 26 years! The original On Deck store was a small men’s clothing store in the Top of the Hill Shops in Fish Creek.

The beautiful interiors and exteriors of each current On Deck store have been kept historically authentic, while still looking modern and attractive. The Fish Creek On Deck store, for example, has beautifully restored antique Chris Craft boats used at clothing displays, as well as gorgeous original hardwood floors, vintage ceiling fans, and antique lighting.

On Deck Clothing Company carries over 200 brands, including brands you know and love – Woolrich, Nautica, Lacoste, Sperry and UGG – as well as well as newer styles that have become quite popular amongst all men and women of all ages! You can also find Door County logo-wear, as well as great bargains and sales at the Lower Deck store in the downstairs of Fish Creek Market, next door to the Fish Creek On Deck store. In 2013, a Lower Deck Sale Store was also added to the Sister Bay On Deck store!

On Deck Clothing Company and Lower Deck in Fish Creek are located at 4168 Main Street, at the corner of Main Street and Hwy. 42. On Deck in Sturgeon Bay is located at 265 North 3^rd Avenue, at the corner of 3^rd and Jefferson. On Deck and Lower Deck Sale Store in Sister Bay are located at 10635 North Bay Shore Drive (Hwy. 42).

Visit them online to order gift cards online, check out their live cam from the Fish Creek store, or even take a virtual tour of the store. Join their E-Club to be the first to know about sales and events. ‘Like’ them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter! Ondeckclothing.com, 920.868.9090.