It was disheartening to see several businesses move off of Michigan City’s Franklin Street in recent years. Nest, which decamped to Three Oaks; Unsalted, which moved to Dunes Highway and changed its name to The Standard), and Hoikkado, which is moving to the former Boathouse location near the outlet mall. Then there was construction on the street as it was converted back into two-way traffic.

But things are looking up. Rocco’s Tavern has joined Cafe Farina on the street. Cellar Door, a wine bar, is teasing a coming-any-day opening at 1901 Franklin. And Good News Vintage, the wonderful shop and mainstay of Franklin Street, has just gotten a neighbor: Abigail Hayden Interiors & Design, a new studio and retail shop that opened August 1 at 607 Franklin Street (formerly the site of SFC Gallery, which moved to 201 E. Harrison St. in Michigan City).

It’s owned by Abby Skwiat (middle name: Hayden), an interior designer who grew up in the area (she went to Notre Dame grade school, Marquette High School and studied interior design at Purdue West Lafayette). That’s Abby in the yellow dress wielding the scissors at her ribbon cutting in the photo above.

Abby and her husband, Nick Skwiat, returned to this area in the fall of 2023 after years of living in Indianapolis, Ann Arbor, and, for the past 12 years, Kalamazoo, Mich., to live full time on Lake Michigan. They previously had a second home in Michigan City’s Beachwalk and found themselves spending more time with old friends and enjoying their hometown. Abby worked in all three markets and has done remote projects in Flagstaff, Palm Springs, and Savannah, Georgia. 

At the Michigan City studio and shop, Abby showcases pieces of her own line of upholstered furniture. She has an an extensive catalog of upholstered goods that can be customized with any fabric and many different wood tones, nail head colors, etc. Everything is made in the U.S., down to the cushions.

She also carries items typically available only to “the trade” (design professionals)–wallcoverings, lighting, area rugs and home accessories. You can also pick up gifty items such as candles, tea towels and napkins, or the work of a few local artists, including Amy Renzulli, whose mixed-media pieces have beachy themes with an edge (lower center).

Abby also also represents Michael Janosky, who grew up in Michigan City and has a love for the lakeshore. He has won many awards and was an artist-in-residence at Indiana Dunes National Park. Abby carries the beachy watercolors of D.C. Langley as well.

Abby’s personal design style is what she calls casual traditional low country. She loves the South, especially Charleston. But she doesn’t impose her style on clients, rather, she believes each client’s space should reflect that of the client. She’s refreshingly transparent about how she works and how she bills: initial two-hour consults are $500, and after that she charges an hourly fee in five-hour blocks. The designer says she’s hoping to get business from condo owners at SoLa, the $305 million hotel/condo development set to break ground after Jan. 1 on Michigan City’s lakefront.

The shop will be open 12-5 Mondays through Fridays and 10-1 pm Saturdays.

Abigail Hayden Interiors & Design, 607 Franklin St., Michigan City.