Stacie Schuster was ready for a career change when her cousin, Renee Blosky, approached her about taking over Lifestyles, a unique gift store in Valparaiso’s historic downtown. After 27 years of working in the School City of Hammond, Schuster welcomed a new opportunity with open arms.
A Region native, Schuster graduated from Lake Central High School before receiving a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Purdue University Calumet, now Purdue University Northwest. She taught second grade in the School City of Hammond for 17 years, and she spent the last 10 years as a media specialist within the system.
August 1 marked Schuster’s first day as the owner of Lifestyles following Blosky’s move to Las Vegas to be closer to her grandchildren.
“It’s a very new situation, but it is going very well,” Schuster said. “I am pretty much keeping the store the way that it was before. I am looking for a few different products or companies to bring in and carry, but, for the most part, it will be the same as it was while Renee was in charge.”
Schuster treks to downtown Valpo from Highland nearly every day, about a 45 minute drive. Many of the previous Lifestyles staff members stayed on under the new ownership, including the store manager Nicole Lynch, who is Blosky’s sister. Two of the staff members who had been with the store for 10 years also stayed, which has helped ease the transition between owners.
“I also brought my sister to Lifestyles with me,” Schuster said. “She taught as well for Hammond, and she had retired, so I asked her to come with me to the store, which has been so fun.”
The biggest adjustment to becoming a store owner for Schuster after years in education has been the bookkeeping, but she has relied on guidance from the previous staff to help her through.
During the transition out of the classroom, Schuster has missed the kids at Hammond the most. On her days off from Lifestyles, she has popped into her former school to see the students and her colleagues.
Schuster and her husband, Steve, have built a life in the Region because of the friendly people, unique areas and fun events. When she is not at work, Schuster is often playing games, planting flowers, or working in her garden. Additionally, she enjoys spending time with her dogs, Annie and Tux, which is why she doesn’t mind when customers bring their friendly dogs into Lifestyles.
“Valpo is such a cute, unique town, so I was excited to come and work in downtown Valpo,” Schuster said.