WINONA LAKE - Filled with an inventory of items usually only found in a bigger city, The Lake House opened its doors Oct. 2.
Owner Jake England said the goal of The Lake House is to bring anyone in, from high schooler to professional, who has an interest in action sports or the culture and fashion surrounding it.
With a view of the Winona Lake canal and the lake itself from his back door, England has brought watersports and surf items to the Village at Winona.
England's own interest in surfing and wakeboarding, as well as previous experience in Indianapolis in the industry, lead to the opening of The Lake House.
And while most lake houses get boarded up in the fall, this one is meant to meet people's needs year-round.
England plans to carry items like slalom skies, tubes and ropes when the weather gets better.
Paddle boards also will be available for rent at The Lake House this summer for the day, weekend or even week.
And with lake access, England said he plans to have a 25-foot Mastercraft wakeboarding boat on hand for demonstrations to show what the products The Lake House has can offer.
Currently, the Lake House features men's and women's apparel with brands such as Hurley, Billabong, Volcom, Quicksilver, Roxy, The North Face, Globe Shoes, Sanuk Footwear, Havianas Sandals as well as Nixon Watches, Spy Sunglasses and Electric.
The 900-square-foot shop also will have children's items.
When the weather gets better, many items also will be displayed on the wraparound porch outside the shop.
Besides offering items like hoodies, t-shirts, coats, gloves and hats on top of the watersports items, The Lake House also features custom-made longboards made and designed by Nate Hodorek and England at a hangar at the Warsaw Municipal Airport.
As for the environment, England said he wanted to create a place with a "laid-back atmosphere."
"When people come in we'll have wakeboarding, snowboarding or surf videos on," said England. "We just want people to come in, hang out and see what we have to offer."
Snowboarding items also will be available at The Lake House.
After a soft opening in October, England said, The Lake House is gearing up for the holiday season.
Long term, England wants to host festivals and bring in pro athletes as well as do demonstrations.
There are also "locals only" events planned for people to come in and check out the store as well have live music and drinks available.
England entered the venture with his parents and long-time Warsaw residents, Garry and Sherry England.
The Lake House, located at 1003 East Canal St., Winona Lake, is open Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., Monday from noon to 7 p.m., and Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 7 p.m.
It's located between Trailhouse and the Village Spa in the Village at Winona.
For more information, call 574-265-6945 or find The Lake House or England on Facebook.
A website, www.lakehousesurf.com, currently is being developed.
