Blue Moon Barn + Vintage in Westville is just a few miles from Michigan City, Chesterton, LaPorte, the tollway and I-94, but arriving here feels like you’ve discovered a hidden gem in the middle of nowhere.

Last weekend I was invited to a wine tasting at Blue Moon, a perk of being a wine club member at Olivezia, a specialty food store in Chesterton with wine, cheese, imported pasta, cookies and more in addition to a large selection of premium extra-virgin olive oil and vinegars in bulk. (Olivezia is on my list to write about–I’m continually amazed at how many people have not heard of it, and it’s a treasure.)

But back to Blue Moon. Some may remember it from when it was in Three Oaks and open one weekend a month. During Covid, owner Jen Kerr moved out of Three Oaks and asked her father, Roger Kerr, to design and build a barn in Westville on their property (with help from Jen and her mom, Vicki). It opened in March 2021, starting off as primarily a retail space selling European vintage furniture and accessories and evolving into an event space, adding micro weddings last year.

Blue Moon is open most Saturdays unless there is a private event, and also by appointment. Besides furniture, Jen features the work of local makers, including soy candles by a mother-son duo from Valparaiso, plants from Blooming Wild, and paintings by an artist from New Buffalo who goes by August Creates.

Upcoming events include a “Mom’s Day Shop Hop” May 2nd and 3rd from 10am-4pm each day with vendors at Blue Moon, Beale Pottery a few miles away and at The Goblin Duneside Bar & Eatery (Diva’s local!) in Beverly Shores. Blue Moon will have vendors selling jewelry, vintage clothing and more, and Olga’s Food Truck will be on hand, offering soups, charcuterie and more. (Olga has also conducted pierogi-making classes at Blue Moon.)

Jen says she’s also hoping to create a seasonal farmers market, likely opening the end of May.

Other upcoming events include a Mother’s Day Brunch on May 10 catered by McGowan and Sons, a wonderful fish market in Valparaiso. (It’s closer to Chesterton than Valpo and if you haven’t been, you really need to change that.) McGowan’s is also working on a Father’s Day fish boil outside Blue Moon’s grounds on June 20, the day before dad’s day.

The family also added a loft studio with a private bath above the main floor of the barn, which can be rented for overnight stays. (The window to the right of the antlers in the photo above looks into the studio.)

I attended a dinner at Blue Moon a couple years ago and it was a lovely affair, with the vintage tables set and candles burning and lots of pretty things to look at.

The newest addition to the property is a renovated Airsteam, which is also available for overnight stays. A second Airstream is in the process of becoming a rental.

 The propery also houses a non profit (Elsa’s Acres), and “most of what we do here supports our cause,” Jen says. Elsa’s, on 80 acres, has rescued dozens of animals including horses, pot belly pigs, geese, goats, dogs and cats.

To keep up with events at Blue Moon, check the website, sign up for email notifications, or check Facebook or Instagram (typing Blue Moon Barn & Vintage Market will get you there.)

Blue Moon Barn & Vintage Market, 11193 W. Division Rd., Westville, IN, 219-851-0900

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