Schoolhouse Shop — Local services in Chesterton

This is a charming store in a wonderful location. They have an eclectic collection of merchandise, from books to candles to kitchen stuff and clothes and jewelry and toys and home decorations and body/bath stuff, etc. If you need a gift for someone who is hard to buy for, this is the place to go.

As to the negative comments, I go a few times a year; I've never, ever been "followed around" as another reviewer said. And yes, they are more expensive than a Meijer or Walmart, but that is to be expected.

The only negative experience I had there was, I bought some Burt's Bees hand creme, got it home, and saw that it had been clearly opened and used. But things like that happen at other stores as well.

All in all, I'm glad this store is around this area. It fills the "niche" left open when Vernier China (in the Pines)...

There are many signs pointing the way to the Schoolhouse Shop. I'm not sure why it took us so long to follow those signs. The shop is housed in a beautiful old schoolhouse that sits in a quiet and rather picturesque spot. I would describe it as a rambling gift shop filled with a surprising variety of items that ranges from candy and party supplies to clothing, home decor, scented soaps and candles, kitchen items and children's toys. We enjoyed browsing in the different rooms and found a few items for ourselves as well as a couple of playthings for our grandchildren. They also serve coffee, a few lunch items and ice cream that can be eaten on a relatively socially distanced patio surrounded by flowers. There is free parking available just...

We were visiting with the intention to shop and support the business as we have frequently done so in the past, when my 90-year-old grandmother suddenly needed to use the restroom. We were told there were no public restrooms available, which I completely understand is their policy. However, this was a clear emergency, and it was very upsetting that no exception could be made for an elderly woman in obvious distress. The response we were given when asking was extremely unkind and dismissive.

Policies are important, but so is basic human empathy, especially for our most vulnerable community members. I truly hope this business reconsiders how they handle exceptional situations like this...