Talk of the Town - Whitley County

(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Sandy Wysong, left, and JoAnn Simmonds, right, stand on the front porch of Off The Path on Walnut Street in Columbia City. The new shop has a refreshing, eclectic allure. At bottom, a glimpse of just a few of many treasures waiting inside.

By Jennifer Zartman Romano

In more ways than one, it really is “off the path.”

With regards to the traditional downtown shopping community, it isn’t on the main drag. Once you’re inside the doors, what you’ll find is a little different, unique, fresh and…it takes you in a new direction.

With all of that in mind, the decision to name their eclectic new shop in near downtown Columbia City “Off The Path” came rather easy to Sandy Wysong and JoAnn Simmonds.

Both longtime residents of Whitley County, the two share a mutual love of art and business acumen that they’re now eagerly applying to what they cheerfully refer to as their “retirement fun.”

And really, the store is just that...fun.

Located at 110 North Walnut Street, just north of Van Buren Street, in the former Dawson House location, the shop has a decidedly new, decidedly upbeat feel featuring art, antiques, contemporary items, eclectics, primitives, you name it – you’ll probably find it at Off The Path.

“It’s hard to sum it up,” Wysong said, shrugging. “There’s no one concrete style.”

A local artist for 35 years, the shop will eventually feature a good deal of Wysong’s work including stained glass, oil paintings and stepping stones.

Simmonds will offer some of her work as well. A certified instructor of the Bob Ross method of painting, she may even eventually offer art classes. She’s been developing her artistic skills since being introduced to “paint by numbers” at the age of seven, she said.

Simmonds owned a beauty shop in Fort Wayne for several years. Wysong is a massage therapist and teaches health-related classes. For both, this adventure is something new.

“We come from very different backgrounds,” Simmonds adds, “but we’re coming together with business and art.”

“Our vision is that this will be a happy place to shop,” Simmonds said. “Someplace warm and inviting.”

Just three weeks ago, the pair purchased the Dawson House’s remaining inventory from former owner Suzanne Hessler and undertook a great transformation. They pulled the heavy drapes off the windows, revealing a beautiful window previously hidden and let the sun shine in. The three front rooms now glow with natural light bouncing off the delightfully arranged art, decorative items, antiques and handmade furniture.

Although a few old items remain, many new items were brought in and in a surprisingly short time, the place has an entirely new feel.

Simmonds and Wysong are eager for Off The Path to become a place known for an ever-changing selection…the kind of place where, when passing by, you wonder if a treasure might be waiting for you inside.

The shop opened officially on December 7 with a holiday open house and transition sale, which brought many of the former Dawson House’s faithful customers back once more.

“Suzanne (Hessler) had a beautiful following,” Wysong said. “We appreciate the following we’ve now found from the loyal Dawson House customers.”

Additionally, they’ve found the community of Whitley County very willing to embrace their new venture. “Everyone has been very supportive, very warm,” Simmonds said.

As the pair welcomed guests to what we hope will be their first of many holiday open house events, a sense of pride and appreciation could be seen on their faces.

Simmonds and Wysong feel being part of community is a very important part of what they’re doing. As a downtown business, they’re looking forward to being actively involved in what is going on in the community.

Down the road, Wysong and Simmonds are looking forward to expanding their offerings in a number of exciting ways – but our lips are sealed. They are now in the midst of planning a larger scale open house this spring with some truly unique festivities in mind.

Off The Path is open Wednesday-Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.