Contact: Brian Hackbarth, 920-421-4931
Egg Harbor, WI – Since opening his first restaurant in Fish Creek in 2008, Wild Tomato’s Britton “Britt” Unkefer’s menu has been pleasing the taste buds of Door County residents and visitors alike. Expanding to first to Sister Bay and now in Egg Harbor, consumers have been supportive of Britt’s ideals of sustainability, fresh ingredients, and local growers in affordable, family-friendly restaurants.
The most recent expansion, to 4633 Market Street in the Village of Egg Harbor, was recently made possible in part with a loan from the Door County Economic Development (DCEDC) Revolving Loan Fund.
The Egg Harbor location, which opened in May, is located adjacent to the One Barrel Brewing tap room.
“Since returning home to Door County it has been a pleasure sharing our enthusiasm for the sustainable food business, stated Britt Unkefer. “We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received as we expand one of our brands to another Door County community. So many people have made this new restaurant possible and we are incredibly grateful for all of the lending hands.”
Britt started his culinary career at his family’s restaurant, Nelsen’s Hall, on Washington Island at 13 years old. He then attended New England Culinary Institute in Essex, Vermont, before moving west to serve as head baker to Wolfgang Puck at the acclaimed Postrio in San Francisco. It was here that he handled his first wood-fired oven. As executive chef at the Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River, Oregon, he learned to integrate local, seasonal products into the menu.
Unkefer is not only happy to call Door County home, but also glad to raise a family in the community that is Door County. He has two boys, Levi and Ivo, who are active in soccer, art and school. When not in front of the wood-fire, Britt is catching up on the latest European football scores, coaching soccer for his buys or enjoying the beauty of Door County.
Senior lending for the Egg Harbor project was provided by Nicolet National Bank. Business and financial plan development was provided by the Small Business Development Center at UW-Green Bay (SBDC) and the DCEDC’s entrepreneurial development program. “Britt is a home-grown success story, and Team DCEDC is pleased to support his expansion plans,” stated DCEDC’s Executive Director Jim Schuessler. “This collaborative effort, along with the co-location with Peter and Jennifer Gentry of One Barrel Brewing, has added a facet that was previously missing; now it helps enhance the overall vibrancy of Egg Harbor.”
“The assistance provided by the DCEDC, SBDC, and Nicolet National Bank are appreciated,” added Unkefer.
To learn more about DCEDC’s entrepreneur development program contact Jim at 920-421-3777 or via email at Jim@DoorCountyBusiness.com.
