New Antique Store Offers Old, New Treasures

Tracey Tesauro, owner of High Lindens in Huntington village, holds an Alpaca gift item, which is offered at the new 7 Green Street location. Long Islander News photo/Janee Law

By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com

Tracey Tesauro was 10 years old when she made her first auction purchase at a church is Syosset. It was a large round table that amounted to $12 and Tesauro, today the owner of High Lindens in Huntington village, said it was “hideous.”

“I knew it could be gorgeous so I revamped it and it turned out to be beautiful, and I still have it today,” Tesauro said. “I was just so excited to be a part of something like that.”

Tesauro’s passion for collecting and revamping antiques began at an early age.

“I’ve been antiquing with my mother since I was in her arms and even when I was a kid I would try to redo furniture,” Tesauro said, adding that she dreamed of opening her own antique store one day.

Now that her kids have started lives of their own, Tesauro, 50, has seized the opportunity to pursue her passion, opening up her own antique store in Huntington village.

Located at 7 Green Street, the 1,000-square-foot store opened in July, taking over space previously occupied by Flowers By Susan.

The store offers paintings, furniture, bedding, chandeliers, lamps, wall décor, candles and more. Starting this week, High Lindens will also be selling gift items, such as hand knit sweaters for kids, jewelry and more.

“I have a lot of paintings from some very famous painters but I also have some paintings that nobody is going to recognize the name, but you just feel yourself drawn to it,” Tesauro said. “When people come in they say that it’s an interesting range of art and that there’s something about it that grabs you.”

While part of the job involves selling items to customers, Tesauro said the other part involves keeping the store stocked with treasures. Tesauro constantly travels to attend sales at auction auction houses, such as Doyle in Manhattan and William J. Jenack Estate Appraisers & Auctioneers in Chester, NY.

Tesauro also revamps some of the items.

“I still love to redo furniture, by stripping, staining or painting,” she said. “You get the satisfaction of bringing a beautiful piece back, something that somebody would give up on can turn out to be something really special so that’s really rewarding.”

On any given day, customers can find items from $8 to more than $1,000.

“They really are very reasonable and I want it to be like that,” Tesauro said. “I want people to be able to come in and wonder.”

For the upcoming fall season, Tesauro said she’ll be crafting hydrangea wreaths to sell and will be bringing in darker tones, with throws and pillows.

While her taste leans towards French design, Tesauro said she brings in a variety of styles, ranging from the 18th century to current.

“The store has a little twist to it because it has the old and the new, and I like to think it’s fun,” Tesauro said. “It’s one of those places where you can relax and wonder and you’re present at that moment. Nobody is ever on their phone in here.”