Tis the Season to Shop Local: The Olde Wicker Mill
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: December 8, 2011
Eyewitness News continues to take a look at local businesses in the community with Tis' the Season to Shop Local
On Thursday, we took a look at The Olde Wicker Mill in New Hartford.
The store has gone from 2,000 to 15,000 square feet. But store owner, Laura Misiazek says it didn't happen overnight.
"We were basically just baskets. Little by little, over the years, it's just as people's needs grew, we grew with them," said Misiazek.
33 years ago, she was working for an insurance company, but had an itch to go into retail.
That itch then grew into the gift shop she has today, The Olde Wicker Mill.
As a long time resident of the area, Laura thought what better way to stay involved in the community then to own a local business.
"We grew up here. This is our community, and I think it's important to us. These are our neighbors and friends, and we're bumping into them at the grocery store," she said.
Like many other local owners, Laura's number one priority is her customers.
"You've got your owners right there and all these locally owned businesses. We're right here, we listen to our customers, we know what you want and therefore we're going to stock what you want," she said.
For her employees, Laura says they are more than just cashiers behind a counter.
"We have sales associates that will go around the store with you, help you fill that Christmas list, or whatever, find that perfect gift at the perfect price point," said Misiazek.
Laura says as a local business owner, she develops special personal relationships.
"The community and my customers have a trust. We have a bond between us. They trust me to go shopping all year long to make sure I have the right product in store. I think it's just a personal connection we have with our community," she said.
Laura says the key to having a successful business is the relationships she's developed with her customers over the years.
On Thursday, we took a look at The Olde Wicker Mill in New Hartford.
The store has gone from 2,000 to 15,000 square feet. But store owner, Laura Misiazek says it didn't happen overnight.
"We were basically just baskets. Little by little, over the years, it's just as people's needs grew, we grew with them," said Misiazek.
33 years ago, she was working for an insurance company, but had an itch to go into retail.
That itch then grew into the gift shop she has today, The Olde Wicker Mill.
As a long time resident of the area, Laura thought what better way to stay involved in the community then to own a local business.
"We grew up here. This is our community, and I think it's important to us. These are our neighbors and friends, and we're bumping into them at the grocery store," she said.
Like many other local owners, Laura's number one priority is her customers.
"You've got your owners right there and all these locally owned businesses. We're right here, we listen to our customers, we know what you want and therefore we're going to stock what you want," she said.
For her employees, Laura says they are more than just cashiers behind a counter.
"We have sales associates that will go around the store with you, help you fill that Christmas list, or whatever, find that perfect gift at the perfect price point," said Misiazek.
Laura says as a local business owner, she develops special personal relationships.
"The community and my customers have a trust. We have a bond between us. They trust me to go shopping all year long to make sure I have the right product in store. I think it's just a personal connection we have with our community," she said.
Laura says the key to having a successful business is the relationships she's developed with her customers over the years.
