House Of Jerky, Gourmet Food Store Opening In Somerville

SOMERVILLE, NJ — Husband and wife duo and Somerville business owners Dmitriy and Natalia Kleyman are taking the plunge to open a new business and expand the landscape of the downtown area amid the coronavirus.

The Kleymans currently run Mainly Gadgets at 59 W Main St. in Somerville and upMade in New Hope. Now they plan to open Somerville Provisions & Dry Goods Co. and Somerville House of Jerky at 14 Division St. this fall. This was the former location of Isabelle's Bridal & Eveningwear.

"Part of the reason we wanted to open is we have been in Somerville for 5 and a half years and we thought there is a lack of any specialty stores, specifically gourmet- or gift-related," Natalia Kleyman said. "We have another store in New Hope, PA, a gift boutique and we thought that we could also do something like that in Somerville."

Plus the Kleymans have always loved Division Street so when the storefront became available, Natalia said they jumped at the opportunity.

Currently, many businesses are shutting down or having to adapt due to the coronavirus pandemic. But Kleyman has faith their business will thrive.

"It's always scary to open a new business. We were petrified when we opened Mainly Gadgets and opening our New Hope store was terrifying," Kleyman said. "And now it is even more terrifying since things are changing and there is so much talk about a second wave. If we are forced to close as a small business it will be hard.

"I have faith in Somerville and the community," Kleyman continued. "People have been rallying around businesses and surrounding towns as well. I think we should be OK. We will hope and pray we will be OK."

All of their stores have been focused on sustainable living and the new store will be the same. It will pull from purveyors from the tri-state area including New Jersey, Connecticut and New York.

The new store will offer more than 50 types of jerky, hot sauces, nuts, jams, condiments, candies, teas and more.

As New York natives, Kleyman said they travel a lot, all over the U.S. and sees an opportunity for their specialty store in Somerville.

"In Somerville and in the surrounding area, there doesn't seem to be any specialty stores," Kleyman said. "This seems like the perfect niche."

For more information visit facebook.com/Somerville-Provisions or instagram.com/somervillehouseofjerky.

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