By Shayna Mace

When beloved local eatery Novak’s closed back in 2019, Kathie Perkins and her husband, Wally, spotted an opportunity for a fresh start. The Barrington, Illinois, couple had owned a vacation home in Fontana for the last 25 years. They decided to pack up, move to the area full time and open a new business.

The couple tore down the old building and built anew. Kathie snagged a spot for her new home décor shop, Fontana Home. Two doors down, Wally co-owns Little Bar with Novak’s former owner, Pete Novak.

Fontana Home’s breezy aesthetic reflects the lake lifestyle of the area. Shoppers will find tableware, prints, lake-themed décor, gourmet kitchen items, vintage pieces and more. Kathie also hosts classes, such as painting lessons, charcuterie board arranging and more. Conveniently, the classes are held at Little Bar.

“I want [Fontana Home] to be a gathering place too,” explains Kathie. “We love this community. We want it to feel like you’re coming in our home here, and we treat our customers like that.”