Name:
Jesse Warren
How your clients refer to you:
Jesse
Company:
TENET
Contact Info:
95 Main Street, Southampton, ph. (631) 377-3981, Instagram: @tenetshop, Email: Jesse@tenetshop.com
How many years have you been in business in the Hamptons?
Our original store opened in June of 2010, which makes this our seven-year anniversary. We opened our new Concept Store at 95 Main St on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, and re-opened our East Hampton store at 51 Newtown Lane, the former location of Scoop Beach.
How did you get your start and what was your initial inspiration?
The initial inspiration for our new store was to do something cool and chic yet different from the typical retail scope of Southampton, which currently has some amazing stores. I wanted to do something that the community would find very exciting and interactive. The new store features a well curated mix of apothecary, fine jewelry, fragrances, beauty, sunglasses, and other accessories. One of my favorite parts of the store is its unique and modern artwork and photography. We're in the former home of Mark Humphrey Gallery. It's a phenomenal space which also has a skylight and it's adjacent to our original store, so we couldn't turn down the opportunity to open our Concept Store here.
What do you feel differentiates you from others in your field?
I feel like we have some of the best products in their respective categories. For example, in fine jewelry we have amazing rings from Spinelli, a wide assortment from Foundrae, all the charms from Loquet, and my favorite brand from Paris, Charlotte Chesnais.
Much of the product is sourced from walking around the Marais in Paris and gaining inspiration from some of the best stores in the world. We also have other European brands, Byredo, Mad et Len, and Fornesetti, to name a few, as well as other lines sourced locally from New York and the Hamptons.
What do you feel gives you longevity in the Hamptons with so many options and an ever-changing landscape?
Myself and my team put in tremendous amounts of work to make sure that we are always bringing in the best products and staying ahead of the curve, all while having a unique perspective and some amazing merchandising techniques.
How do you positively impact your clientele?
Much of the clientele in Southampton, and now East Hampton, know me from around town and being in the Hamptons. We have the special opportunity to connect with the local community who are both year round and from all parts of the country during the summer.
We also make sure that we contribute regularly to some great charities out in the East End, everything from the Fresh Air Fund to some of the local high schools. Last year we also hosted the filmmakers party as part of the Hamptons International Film Festival in our East Hampton store.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is being able to meet new people every single year that come through our doors, all who share the same interests as us. We've been in business for seven years now and I've developed some strong relationships with the community. Everyone has been very good to us, and I can certainly say, our store is part of a very special community.
What is your favorite secret Hamptons spot?
I love the boardwalk on Dune Beach by Road D. Especially during the week, it's quiet and relaxing and one of the best beaches we have among many other great spots.
What is the most memorable feedback a client has given you?
We always try to go above and beyond to make sure our clients love the store and want to come back. One time, I re-opened the store at 10:45 PM on a weekend night to make sure a client could come back and get what she needed for an late event. We will do anything for our clients and I always enjoy hearing positive feedback from them. I also think it's extremely important to listen to our customers, so any advice we get, we listen.
Pay it forward and name your top colleagues in the same field or related field:
I think the gentlemen behind Homenature always do an excellent job. I also really love and appreciate the perspective of Aerin Lauder of Aerin who has a store a few doors down from us.
What is the best advice anyone's ever given you? Or what is your "mantra" / words to live by?
I've always been told not to be afraid to take risks. Well informed risks. Playing it safe is never the way to go, especially in retail where things are always changing.
As moms, the day can escape us, what is your best time-saving trick?
As they say, there is no better time than the present. It's important to do things now and when the opportunity presents itself!