Business Beat: Tracey Calder Kaspereit of Wisteria Lane

Tracey Calder Kaspereit, a Patchogue Village resident, is the owner of Wisteria Lane, a retail boutique located at 11 North Ocean Avenue. The store shares space with The Cheese Patch, a cheese shop. Patch spoke with Tracey Calder Kaspereit about what it's like running her business, and photos Patch took are in the media gallery.

Patch: Describe what your business is?

Tracey Calder Kaspereit: My business is a retail boutique located in Patchogue that sells unique jewelry as well as local artist jewelry. You will also find a variety of baby gifts hand made items as well as beautiful things for the home and pet. I also have handmade organic soaps made locally as well as beach wear and bags.

Patch: Where are you from and what is your personal/professional background?

Calder Kaspereit: I live in the Village of Patchogue and have for 23 years. Prior to that I grew up in Blue Point and later moved to Bellport when I was a teenager and graduated from Bellport High School. I have always been an entrepenour having my own business since the age of 20. This is my first time owning and running my own shop and has been something I have always wanted to do.

Patch: Why did you decide to open your business in Patchogue?

Calder Kaspereit: While having a store was a long time dream of mine it was also always Patchogue that I wanted to open my store. I have always been from this area and while I was growing up Patchogue was the place to shop. The revitalization and regrowth of the town inspired me to jump in and be part of the transformation of Patchogue.

Patch: What do you hope to accomplish with your business?

Calder Kaspereit: I hope that Wisteria brings to the landscape a place that people can shop and browse and pick up a gift for someone as well as bring local artists a place to get there talent out there for people to appreciate. My inspiration was to bring Sayville to Patchogue. I always loved the beauty of the stores in Sayville and thought why cant Patchogue have the same thing.

Patch: What area of your industry do you specialize in?

Calder Kaspereit: I concentrate mostly on jewelry and personal accessories, then housewares, and baby accessories and pet accessories. Costume jewelry is fun and so in right now. You can pick up a trendy piece of jewelry to update your look for so little. You never know what you will find at the shop I'm constantly gettting new things and keeping it fresh and up to date.

Patch: Who is your typical customer/client?

Calder Kaspereit: My typical customer is female, the age ranges from teen on up.

Patch: Describe some of the history of your business, such as when it opened, where it operates, etc.?

Calder Kaspereit: Wisteria Lane Boutique is located next to the Chamber of Comerce at 11 North Ocean Ave. Patchogue 11772. Wisteria Opened its door for the first time December 1, 2012 and have been going strong since.

Patch: What is your favorite and least favorite aspect of running your business?

Calder Kaspereit: My favorite part of this adventure is meeting all the people that walk in to the shop and the relationships with the customer as well as the people I'm meeting in the business end of it. The least favorite is the seven days a week and I do take my work home with me a lot but really that's nothing in the grand scheme of things I truly love what I do and can live with that.

Patch: What specific challenges do you face with running your business and making it work in today's economy?

Calder Kaspereit: The challenges are having different and unique things in the store and keeping it affordable. The things that you will see in Wisteria are not what you will see at a department store or chain. That is the most challenging and keeping it affordable at the same time.

Patch: How can people reach you?

Calder Kaspereit: Wisterialaneny.com is the website for the store. You can find me on Facebook at wisteria Lane-Patchogue. friend us so you can keep up to date on new things that come in. I always post photos and specials. If you come in and leave your email you will also get coupons and special events that are happening. The store number is 631-438-0414.

In Business Beat, Patch will talk to local businesses in the Patchogue and Medford area of new and established places in the area. Want to be featured? Email michael@patch.com.