Tossed & Found, near the Hesston Steam Museum, is located in an historic schoolhouse.

One of the area’s prettiest country drives is on 1000 N. off Rt. 12. I love it in all seasons, but especially in summer and fall. And now a drive on 1000 N. includes a great place to stop: Tossed & Found, a new antiques shop in a historic setting.

Debbie Fuller, who grew up in Michiana before Chicagoans discovered it as a vacation mecca, has been thrifting and antiquing for years, selling things out of a book at Nanni’s Over the Fence in Michigan City.

When she heard that the Mud Creek schoolhouse, built in 1892 and just up the road from where she now lives, was available for rent, she jumped at the chance to have a permanent home for her treasures. (She says her husband was especially happy to have her stuff move out of their barn.)

Owned by the Hesston Steam Museum folks, the schoolhouse has been empty for about a dozen years. The neighbors, Fuller says, are thrilled to see the building in use once again. She opened in early May.

Fuller describes her merchandise as farmhouse, primitive, rustic and cabin decor, with a bit of beachy thrown in.

The charming shop is just under 1,000 square feet and has original trim, windows and doors. It does not currently have working heat, so she’s likely to be open only in warmer months. She’s open only on weekends, but will open for shoppers who call for an appointment.

Fuller is a regular at auction houses, and goes to estate sales and to North Carolina annually to search for treasures.

Follow Tossed & Found on Facebook to get updates to opening hours. And hat tip to FOD (Friend of Diva) Jill, who told me about this new business. I encourage all Diva’s readers to do the same! And, please, someone tell me why I didn’t buy that green vase! It was only $22 and I bet it’s no longer there….

Tossed & Found, 1242 E 1000 N., LaPorte, 219-575-0114