OUR STORY
ABOUT OPEN DOOR
A Taekwondo school rooted in Door County history, dedicated to a woman who believed in every single kid who walked through her door.
THE LEGACY
BUILT ON A FOUNDATION
OF BELIEF
Open Door Martial Arts Center carries on the legacy of Open Door Tae Kwon Do, founded by Marjory Allingham. For years, Marjory ran her school right here in Door County, teaching dozens of local students the discipline, focus, and confidence that only martial arts can build. She ran it until her death in 2013.
Marjory had a gift. She had a way of seeing something in every kid who walked through her door — the shy ones, the restless ones, the ones who didn't quite fit anywhere else. She never met a kid she didn't believe in.
That belief — that every person who shows up deserves to be seen and taken seriously — is the foundation that everything at Open Door is built on. It shapes how we teach, how we treat our students, and what we think martial arts is really for.
“She never met a kid she didn't believe in.”
The new Open Door Martial Arts Center is dedicated to Marjory's memory. We're here because she was here first — and because the Door County community deserves a place where that tradition continues.
LEAD INSTRUCTOR
Anne Barlas
3rd Degree Black Belt · Lead Instructor & Manager
Anne Barlas was one of Mrs. A's own students. She began training under Marjory Allingham at age 8, and when Mrs. A passed the school on to her, Anne took that responsibility seriously.
She is a wife and mother of two, and the lessons she carried from her years as Mrs. A's student are ones she values deeply — and works to pass on to every student she teaches.
Her goal is to carry the tradition Mrs. A built into a new generation of Door County students, and to make sure that what Marjory started here never stops mattering.
Photo of Anne Barlas
WHAT WE STAND FOR
HOW WE SHOW UP
The Door Is Open
The name isn't an accident. Every age, every background, every skill level — if you want to try, there's a place for you here.
Real Taekwondo
We teach the real thing — proper technique, belt rank progression, forms, and sparring. No shortcuts.
We Believe in Our Students
Marjory's example set the standard: every student who walks in deserves to be seen, encouraged, and pushed further than they thought they could go.
Part of Door County
We're a small, local school — 525 Jefferson Street, Sturgeon Bay. We're rooted here, and we're staying.
THE FACILITY
525 JEFFERSON STREET
Our school is right here in Sturgeon Bay — a proper martial arts facility built for serious training.
Professional Tatami Mats
Full competition-grade mat surface throughout the main training floor.
Full-Wall Mirrors
Monitor your form and technique in real time from every angle.
Heavy Bag Area
A dedicated heavy bag section for striking drills and conditioning work.
Kids Training Zone
A separate, safe training area designed specifically for our younger students.
Spectator Seating
Parents can watch every class comfortably from our spectator area.
COME FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF
The best way to understand what we do is to step through the door. Your first class is free — no commitment, no pressure.
CLAIM FREE TRIAL