By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent WAYNESVILLE, Ohio — Debbie Goodwin was at a crossroads in her life. She felt trapped in the corporate business world and had no way out.
Goodwin had what most would call a dream job: She was national event coordinator for the Iams Pet Food Co. in Vandalia, Ohio. Still, she was not at ease with constant traveling and tedious trade shows. Something had to give, and it finally did. She and her husband, Bart, spotted a 12-acre plot of land on State Route 73 in rural Warren County, just west of Waynesville. On the premises stood a rundown farmhouse, chicken coop, pig pen, feed shed and deteriorating barn. The structures were hard to spot from the road because the brush was more than waist-high.
“When we got the property the house was nearly uninhabitable,” she said. “We took baby steps in getting this thing in shape. We found out this farm had been a rental property for 20 years and it was a major dump.”
But even after leaving Iams the business wheels were turning inside Goodwin. She envisioned the old farm homestead as a retail business, a place to sell Ohio-made arts and crafts.
“I worked harder than I ever did at my corporate job,” she said, “but it’s a lot more fun when it’s your own.”
She calls her business The Secret Garden, a truly unusual shopping experience with brick pathways through a wooded garden filled with concrete statuary, wrought iron pieces, gazing globes, fountains, garden orbs and much more. As visitors stroll the scenic landscape, which is dotted with hundreds of Ohio-made artifacts, soothing music fills the air.
Rather than raze anything, the couple decided to build their business with existing structures. For starters, the farmhouse itself has been turned into an indoor gift shop and home to the Bird Seed Cafe. Visitors to this renovated farm can grab a picnic basket, choose from an assortment of deli sandwiches, salads, desserts and beverages, and take the goodies outside for a picnic lunch, under one of many shade trees or along a scenic pond.
A small structure called The Bird House houses items for bird enthusiasts, from suet cakes in a variety of flavors and sizes to a wide array of bird feeders and bird houses. The rustic chicken coop is now a potting shed. The nesting boxes remain intact in the coop, a gentle reminder that this was once a working farm.
The original outhouse on the grounds still stands. It is out of order, of course, but has received several new coats of paint to preserve the past.
A small wedding chapel was erected on the site. Located among a canopy of tall trees next to a small pond, the chapel has served as host to 17 weddings and 20 other events, including graduation parties, baby showers, Bible study groups, family reunions and business gatherings.
“We’re considered by many to be more of a destination that just a shop,” Goodwin said. “Some people call this a wellness center or a place for spiritual comfort.
The setting is just gorgeous. Those who are shopping for items come here because they know they’ll find unique and different things.”
Dotting four of her 12 acres are arts and crafts made by artisans throughout the state, as well as items from Mennonite and Amish craftsmen.
“A higher power guided us, there’s no way we could have done this alone,” Goodwin said. “We’ve been blessed. This was certainly a leap of faith.”
Soon to be added will be Bella Garden Florals. Waynesville floral designer Debbie Agnew will offer wreaths and floral displays of all kinds.
The Secret Garden is located on 73, nine miles east of Interstate 75 in Waynesville. The shop is open every day from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Visit the shop online at www.secretgardenwaynesville.com or call toll-free 877-897-5505. |
