Business & Tech

Kessie Offers Mixed Bag of Collectables at New Front Street Location

With a more visible Front Street location, owner of an eclectic shop of collectables hopes for a great 2012 season.

If you’re wandering around Greenport for the this weekend, you might want to pop into Kessie, a Front Street store for those seeking unique antiques and other collectables.

Kessie was known as the Mixed Bag for many years, first in New York City, then at a Front Street Garden location in Greenport. Owner Linda Kessler recently followed in the foot steps of the boutique shop across the street and moved to a more visible Front Street location, this time next to the Coronet restaurant.

Kessler stocks all sorts of new and vintage collectables at Kessie. Working fulltime in the estate collection business in New York City, Kessler always comes across unique items, from jewelry, lamps and pieces of art to funkier items like recycled vinyl albums made into clocks.

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“My heart is really in the mid-20th Century, but I don’t want to have such a narrow focus,” Kessler said. “I enjoy when people find something special here that they can connect with.”

A native of Queens, Kessler has had a home in Southold since 1984 and opened the Mixed Bag in Greenport 14 years ago. She seeks jewelry and other handmade items from artists across the tri-state area. She said she seeks advice from her daughters who are in their 20s and 30s about what to stock.

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“I want people to come in here and feel like they could buy something for a 20-year-old or a 50-year-old,” she said.

Lots of accessories — scarves, handbags — can also be found at Kessie, which Kessler plans to keep open year-round.

“I think it’s very important for merchants in Greenport to stay open all year and to stay open late in season — until at least 8 or 9 p.m.,” she said. “I hear all too often people asking why shops close so early. Greenport’s a great place and I’m very happy at the new location.”

Call 631-477-6900 for more information.

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