SISTER LAKES — Taking a different life journey was how Libby Blahunka decided to open up her own shop, Libby Ann’s.

The store, which opened on June 14 at 67796 M-152 Dowagiac specializes in home accessories, vintage items and jewelry. It has already received tremendous support from the Sister Lakes community, Blahunka said.

After working for more than 30 years in healthcare, Blahunka and her husband, Robert, who worked for the military and government services, both decided to retire from their jobs. They moved permanently to their place on Round Lake and opened Libby Ann’s. Now, Blahunka can walk to work and enjoy the Sister Lakes community, instead of making her old three- to four-hour commute, she said.

“The community has been unbelievably inviting and is so happy we are here,” Blahunka said. “They are always telling us we needed something here because there is not a lot. You either have to go do Dowagiac or St. Joe. I shop in both Dowagiac and St. Joe. I shop all over, so we kept thinking about [opening a store]. Sometimes, life journeys happen without you even knowing about it.”

With the support of her three daughters and her husband, Blahunka moved quickly to acquire the space for the store and has no regrets, she said.

In terms of transitioning from the healthcare field to being a business owner, it has not been hard for Blahunka, as she is used to adapting to new life circumstances, she said.

The decor in her store ranges from lake themed pieces, travel themed accessories, jewelry made by one of her friends and numerous other home decorations. Some items are local, some come from the East Coast and some are used pieces. Blahunka wanted to incorporate a bit of everything, as she did not know what the community would want to see.

The store has done a soft opening for the last week and is working on increasing its social media presence. Blahunka has heard stories from the community that 20 years ago, this area used to be downtown Sister Lakes, and she’d like to see it go back to being that way. Part of that plan is keeping the store open all year round, she said.

Wednesday, Blahunka pointed to a sign hanging on the wall. It is one of her favorite pieces in the store — it is not for sale, but reads, “The journey is unfolding as it should be.”

“This is our journey now, this is what we are doing,” she said. “Life journeys and making memories, that’s what I always say.”

For, Libby Ann’s and Lake House Creations, 9219 County Road 690, the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a back to back ribbon cutting event from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 28, starting at Libby Ann’s.