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A Unique Boutique: Viva La Cottage of Sister Bay
By Jeannie Hoffman
May 31, 2011 - 8:57:00 AM
The main thing that I love about travel is the opportunity to experience things that I can't find at home. Viva La Cottage is one of those unique experiences in Sister Bay. Viva La Cottage is a boutique of vintage and vintage-inspired original creations. I would argue that Viva is not just a boutique; it's an experience. Each item is a treat, each display a dish, and each display leads you to the whole effect, which is a feast for the senses.
I learned of Viva La Cottage through the “favorites” link on the Facebook page of a friend. Like Door County as a whole, stepping onto the grounds of Viva La Cottage takes you to a new, soothing state of mind. The shop atmosphere extends to the gardens and exterior of the cottage. Vintage items, bicycles and watering cans are artfully placed throughout. You may find yourself meandering through the gardens before entering the store itself.
Upon entering the shop, your senses are swept away without being overwhelmed. The aroma of an old-fashioned garden hangs in the air. Hints of rosemary, chamomile, ginger, and geranium can be indentified. Your eye is drawn slowly from display to display. This is a shabby chic heaven. The vintage laces, antique pastel potteries, upcycled jewelry, vintage-inspired, linen-laden clothing lines, and a variety of other one of a kind items are offered for sale. The decor and arrangement of articles create a soothing atmosphere.
Merchandise is a collection of individual items gleaned from flea markets and sales in places as far as Paris, although items created by local artisans are some of my personal favorites. Trillium is a line of organic fragrance items produced in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and Kirsten Bungener of Ephraim creates a gorgeous line of jewelry offered at Viva. Her jewelry line is called Retro Textures. Other product lines include quality bedding items by Pinecone Hill, Hearts Desire, a limited production line of clothing made in the United States, and a brand new addition this summer, pajamas and loungewear by ThreeJ.N.Y.C. .
On July ninth at 10:00 am until 5:00 pm Viva La Cottage will hold its fifth annual Vintage Market on the grounds of the shop. “Vintage treasures, artful adaptations, live music and food” will abound. This year Flea Market Style Magazine has named the Vintage Market one of the top small flea markets in United States! Each year the Vintage Market has been held on the first Saturday after the fourth of July. I have it starred the event on my calendar.
I am sure to make Viva La Cottage one of my regular haunts. I hope you get the chance to experience it yourself. The experience is free. Taking some of it home is up to you.
Viva La Cottage is located directly on Highway 57. If you take a right turn off of Highway 42 just north of the Sister Bay Visitor’s Center you will find it on your left about two miles after the turn onto Highway 57.
The address is 10038 Hwy 57, Sister Bay, WI 54234. The phone number is 920-854-6842.
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