Truly Kismet: Longtime Local Consignment Shop Changes Hands but Keeps its Soul
Collider is passionate about sharing the stories of Rochester entrepreneurs and small business owners! We recently chatted with Jes Peterson and Penny Bracken, who have come together to continue the life of the thriving, nineteen year old consignment business, Kismet.
Photo by Corrie Strommen
Rochester native, Jes Peterson, always knew that she wanted to start her own business and, in the summer of 2022, was able to make her dream a reality when she connected with Penny Bracken to purchase longtime local consignment shop, Kismet.
“Kismet” means fate or destiny, and the two women agree that their meeting and the subsequent sale of the business was just that.
“After owning and running Kismet for nineteen years, I was ready to let go of the business but I didn’t want to just sell the building and watch developers tear it down. I knew that there had to be someone with the passion and drive to keep the place going, I just had to find them.” Penny explained.
Jes had worked in retail for many years, predominantly managing displays and store styling at establishments such as JCPenny, Pier 1, and TJ Maxx. After her husband passed away and she found herself a single mother, she gave up retail for a “big girl job” at Minnwest Bank and later acquired a degree in business management.
“At one point we got a new president at the bank and he asked me what I wanted to be doing in my position. I told him that I wanted to work with the entrepreneurs of the world. That’s how I really got connected to the business community in Rochester.” Jes said.
She continued, “In 2015 I tried to open my own business and was laughed out of five or six different banks while trying to get funding. I lost heart and couldn’t do it. I didn’t have the guts at the time and it seemed like a big risk to take as a single mom without anything to fall back on.”
When asked about her first business idea, Jes said with a grin, “That’s a pretty big secret because it could still happen someday.”
After banking for many years, Jes took on a position at The Post Bulletin for a time and most recently worked as the store manager for the newly opened At Home location in Rochester.
Penny, meanwhile, opened Kismet in 2004. “I got off of a boat at the Panama Canal after sailing for three and a half years with my life partner at the time. I came to Rochester to briefly visit my mother and father before heading back to my home in California. But over the course of the visit I realized that I felt called to stay in Rochester and care for my parents through their final years.”
“After being unemployed and sailing for almost five years, I filled out my resume and started looking for a job at the age of 51, wondering ‘how am I ever going to pull this off?’ I stumbled into a little clothing store called Heidi’s Closet and asked for a job. The owner said she had just hired someone. I offered to work for free and, naturally, she changed her mind.” Penny said, laughing.
Penny was soon running Heidi’s Closet, and a year and a half later, purchased the business and rebranded it as Kismet. Throughout the next several years she purchased additional spaces on the same block, eventually joining them to form a larger, cohesive space.
Photo by Corrie Strommen
“Coming from California, where everyone is doing cool things and opening businesses, I realized that Rochester was, and still is, a city of great opportunity because of how much untapped potential there is here. I knew I could create something new that people had never seen here before.”
Penny was not new to entrepreneurship when she opened Kismet, as she had prior experience in business ownership from multiple ventures throughout her life. She opened her first secondhand store in 1977 in Northern California, later opened a variety store, worked in jewelry manufacturing, and also had a sewing production business for a time.
“When I was ready to sell Kismet, I didn’t put out a single advertisement, I really hoped that the right person would cross my path organically. I ended up hearing from one of my employees that Jes may be interested in a store like this. So the next time she came in, I approached her and said, ‘I hear you’re perhaps interested in a business like this.’”
Photo by Corrie Strommen
Jes interrupted with a laugh, “No, you very bluntly asked if I wanted to buy your business and I very bluntly said yes and we agreed to discuss it.”
From there, the two women started discussing terms of sale and forming letters of intent, in agreement that they wanted to make an arrangement that worked well for both of them.
“I was thrilled that someone could see the vision from my perspective and had the desire to take it over and keep it running.” Penny said.
“The beauty of this business is that it is tried and true, it has a great local reputation.” Jes said. “Living up to Penny’s legacy will be a challenge, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to continue the success of the business.”
To make it her own, Jes is excited to find some new tenants for portions of the space to activate and bring life to the area. She’s also excited to promote and work with other neighboring thrift and consignment stores.
Both women find work in consignment rewarding through the excitement of others coming into the space and finding treasures, along with arranging an eclectic collection of art, clothing, furniture, and home goods.
Photo by Corrie Strommen
While Jes now has her hands full with running a business, Penny plans to spend more time at rest at her vacation home in Mexico, off of the Yucatan Peninsula. She also looks forward to spending more time with her family.
Outside of work, Jes loves supporting local restaurants and business, hanging out in the art community and making coasters.“I also love movies and curling up at home with my cat.”
Both Jes and Penny advise aspiring business owners to brainstorm with like minded people and to not be afraid to ask for advice from those operating similar businesses.
“There’s nothing better than getting feedback and advice from those who have already been down the path you’re starting. Make use of the resources in your community.”
“This space has its own heartbeat and my heart is so full just being here.” Jes said. “I’m on cloud nine while working here. I love stuff, moving stuff, tinkering around with stuff - it feeds my brain and my soul.”
Article by Corrie Strommen, Director of Community at Collider.
