Owner of Heagerty’s Hot Spot opened his business in Oswego after he saw a high demand for his products at Regional Market in Syracuse
By Stefan Yablonski
Q: How did you start this type of business?
A: I wanted to make sure there was a need for it. I used to sell stuff at the Regional Market in Syracuse. I started with one table. Then I went to two tables — then I went to like seven tables! I went to two different areas. We used to go real early in the morning to get set up. I said to my wife, ‘if more people ask me if I have a store, I think it is time to open a store.’
Q: And did they ask?
A: One hundred and fifteen people asked me! I decided that day that I was going to try to find a store in downtown Oswego where I lived so I could tell my people at the Regional Market that I had a store now so they can also come there. I was trying to build a customer base before I opened a store.
Q: How long have you been here on West First Street?
A: We have been here for 26 years. I started on the south side. My space used to go straight back, that’s it. I rented from Dick Bateman. I had a very small spot.
Q: But you have expanded?
A: Yes. Bateman had Peppermint Twist [a 1950s style eatery] on this side [north]. I expanded over here a few years ago. I used the inventory that I was selling at the Regional Market and built off of that. I started with just $100 and built it up to where I am today.
Q: How did this place come to be?
A: Years ago our family had a little place called Garafalo’s Variety across from the old fire barn on East Bridge Street. It burned down. My mom didn’t want to do a store anymore. I liked the variety store and I always liked Christmas. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. That’s why I have a variety store — a buy and sell trade store — you never know what’s coming in. It’s kind of like Christmas every day here. People bring in stuff off the street and I buy and sell and trade with them. This is exactly what I want to do. It’s a lot of fun.
Q: What kind of business is this?
A: We are a buy, sell or trade store with something for everyone. We also carry collectibles, games, vinyl albums and unique goods. The store features wholesale pricing on silver necklaces. We carry men’s and women’s rings and other jewelry.
Q: Who is your clientele?
A: When I first started it was the Syracuse people who came to support me, they helped me out a lot, until Oswego found out that I was there. It got better and better.
Q: What do your revenues look like?
A: That is something my accountant takes care of. I don’t pay attention to that. I give him all my paperwork. I don’t pay attention to all of that myself. If I need something, I ask him.
Q: How big is your staff?
A: No staff, it is just me. My wife, Jennifer, is a school teacher. She teaches kindergarten at Riley Elementary. She comes in and helps me a little bit when I ask her. She helps me a lot. I will make stuff for the store and sometimes she will help me paint. She’s on summer break and said, ‘do you want me to come in and help you a little bit?’ And I said sure I’d love you to. We have been married 35 years, our anniversary is in December.
Q: You have a very wide variety of merchandise. Where does it all come from?
A: I am an artist. I make a lot of stuff you see in the store. I do glass, jewelry, figures — I make most everything of what is in here. I am a very busy person. I am open from 11 to 6, Monday to Saturday. Last month [June] I was really busy. So, I closed for a few days so I could catch up with stuff and my customers are good about it. They know. It’s a very unique store. I mean you can’t go to Walmart and get this stuff.
Q: Do you have any hobbies outside of work?
A: Yeah, I spend time with my wife. She is my best friend. We go camping, we craft and make a lot of stuff for the store.
Q: If you didn’t have the store, what might you be doing?
A: I am an artist and if I wasn’t doing this, I would still be making art. It is a lot of fun. I have a very big house. I have different sections to do things. So, if I get sick of one I just move to a different one.
Q: What is the best part of your job?
A: For me the best part of this job is if I make something and they come to pick it up — the look they have, the shock or the excitement. They can’t believe how beautiful it is. It gives me chills because I care so much about it and I take my time and people really appreciate it. I have family members come over and they will say something is wrong with that one. So, I see it before it hits the store. It helps me out a lot to make sure I do a good job. It helps me out a lot.
Q: What is your best seller?
A: It’s a small store. To me it is a small store. So, if it doesn’t sell, I get rid of it right away. I put something in its place that will sell. People from the farmers’ market stop in and tell us what they’d like; and we get it and it becomes a best seller. But it changes all the time, I can’t say just one item.
