Up On The Wall Designs adds a personal touch
Massapequa is a community known for the support of local businesses, quaint mom and pop shops and unique retail from Merrick Road to Broadway. So it’s no surprise that the personalized product store Up On The Wall Designs has taken off after a very successful first year.
Owned by Cigdem Leyla and her husband Mike, the storefront, located at 1079C N. Broadway, Massapequa, specializes in signs, graphics, custom T-shirts, home décor, canvas prints and anything else you can think to personalize.
“I was born and raised in Brooklyn and I went to school for teaching, English literature and fashion,” said Leyla, who attributes her craftiness and creativity to years of teaching children. “I always had craftiness about me and in 2007, we started this—my husband actually got me into it—for a little extra money. We started doing vinyl first then wall decals, T-shirts, painting and everything else you see in the store now.”
When Leyla’s daughter was born, she needed something to keep her busy during the time she spent home while on maternity leave. One thing led to another and soon the couple began selling crafts and unique personalized items out of their home. That’s when Mike suggested they open up a store.
“The store space was available and Mike has a degree in business and we’re here a year in July. Everything just blossomed from the neighborhood and community; they’ve been really supportive,” said Leyla.
Upon walking into Up On The Wall Designs, it is evident that everything is handmade and on premises, too. With the exception of some of the digital prints and screens for clothing and vinyl stickers, Leyla and her husband will do anything for the customer within their power, even glass etching. Customers usually come in for housewarming and wedding gifts and personalized items for bridal showers and bridal party members.
“Certain items have a longer turnaround time than others. For example, our first Christmas holiday rush, the wood pieces were taking 7-14 days to produce and normal time is 3-7 days,” said Leyla, who added that the store already has premade items that customers can walk in, have personalized and buy right away.
“As long as we are able to do it, we can do it for you. And not everything has to be purchased in the store; if you have something and want to bring it in (we just have to make sure our equipment can handle it), we’ll do it,” said Mike.
Wood engravings are the quickest and easiest thing to do in the store, and customers don’t have to wait long to take their special gift home. What’s better, the store is completely open so customers can see their product being made.
“Our top sellers are cutting boards, wood signs and T-shirts and we’ve been selling a lot of the monograms,” said Mike. “We’re all about personalization. It’s very big in this area because it’s unique.”
A people person, Leyla goes to the local street fairs as much as she can to meet members of the community. She also takes frequent trips to Lancaster, PA, where most of the products come from.
The couple, who are now five year residents in Massapequa, said that the communities of Massapequa, Farmingdale and Bethpage and Seaford have been very supportive. They are currently with the PTA at Albany Avenue Elementary School and have made shirts for their fifth graders.
“I love our location and the street we’re on is really good. We have street parking, a parking lot, an active area, I can’t complain,” said Leyla. “We want to grow our customer base, so I don’t think we’ll be opening another shop any time soon, but we’ll keep you posted.”
For more information, products and ideas, visit www.uponthewalldesigns.com.
