Music is a language all its own, a melodic means of communication that transcends the spoken word and can elicit every emotion known to man.
Jennifer Lipscomb certainly understands this very well. That is why she was perfectly poised and proud to take over the ownership of Simple Sounds, a cozy specialty establishment located in Shipshewana. Lipscomb spent 10 years working for the business, which was founded in 1989, before purchasing it in 2015. The quaint hamlet of Shipshewana, a well-known mecca for tourists searching for unique sundries and gifts, is the perfect setting for Simple Sounds, which can be found at the Davis Mercantile gallery of shops.
According to Lipscomb, Simple Sounds was originally tailored for musicians delving into bluegrass and folk music. Their selection of instruments included mountain and hammered dulcimers, along with various accessories.
“While we’ve definitely expanded and grown over the years, we are still very much invested in our folk and bluegrass roots,” Lipscomb says. “We still sell dulcimers, but we offer so much more now that encompasses all musical walks of life.”
Simple Sounds also carries more traditional instruments such as guitars and ukuleles, as well as lap harps and bowed psalteries. There are also hundreds of variations for sheet-music books, tailored for instrumentation from pianos and guitars to band and orchestral instruments.
Patrons will also discover a vast array of items well-suited to everyone with an affinity for music. Hand tuned wind chimes, decorative accessories, CDs, and the perennially popular musically themed socks. “If it has to do with music, chances are we have it,” Lipscomb says.
The inventory is constantly changing, Lipscomb notes, so every visit to Simple Sounds promises a new opportunity to take in and appreciate the variety of merchandise. “We’re always looking at bringing in new items,” she says. “We’ve got several orders that we’re expecting any day now that will have loads of new summer items. And yes, even some new Christmas items will start arriving soon.”
“We’re open all year-round, and we see lots of folks, not only in the summer, but also closer to Christmas time,” she adds. “There’s always some sort of event happening in town as we get closer to Christmas, and it’s hands-down my favorite time of year to be in Shipshewana. For people that can’t stop back by the store, we are more than happy to ship items.”
Simple Sounds also has a new website to give customers guidance on future purchases, and to stay abreast of developments and
additions to the shop. “We’re still working on getting everything uploaded to the site, so I highly recommend folks either emailing us directly or calling if they don’t see what they’re looking for,” Lipscomb advises. The website can be found at simplesounds.co.
Guests are welcome to visit Simple Sounds at 225 North Harrison Street, Suite 104 in Shipshewana. Their phone number is 260-768-7776, and to reach Lipscomb via email, her address is simplesoundsinc@gmail.com.
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