Reports that Shopko may file for bankruptcy are raising concerns in Northern Door and Kewaunee Counties.  Sun Capital Partners, the parent company of Shopko, has unsuccessfully tried to find a buyer and last week announced it was closing 39 stores including one in Mauston, Wisconsin.  Shopko operates Shopko Hometown stores in Kewaunee and Sister Bay.  Door County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Jim Schuessler is hopeful a new buyer can be found because of the Sister Bay store's importance to Northern Door County.

All of the Shopko Hometown stores were created after the company acquired the Pamida chain to expand its reach to shoppers in smaller communities.