The Chicest Shack In Somers

If you count yourself among the devotees of the jewelry and handcrafted wears in The Mexican Shack in Somers, then you've made it past the kitschy name and green light-up cactus on Route 100 outside the shop.

In fact, Steve Delzio and his co-owner and wife Mary are not serving up tacos, as a pair of tourists recently thought, but cascading earrings in 14k gold with delicately cut amethyst, blue topaz, tanzanite and sapphires, and hand-forged gold designs by designers like New Englander Tom Kruskal. A 40” smokey topaz necklace retails for $1,845. 

To those in the know, the 35-year-old Mexican Shack is anything but; the name is a remnant of a brainstorming session between a then-21-year-old Delzio and his brother.

"It’s a funky name for what we’re doing today," Delzio, a Somers native, said.

The immaculate, sprawling space lined with glass cases filled with this season's fashion must-have large, chunky turquoise necklaces and more refined diamond pave earrings attracts a loyal clientele.

Scott Aisenstat, 29, came down from Fishkill to pick up his fiancee's diamond eternity band and his own beveled, white gold ring with a satin finish and black princess cut diamond accents. Aisenstat's friend recommended The Mexican Shack for its trustworthy reputation and the bridegroom has "spent a lot of time" with Delzio ever since.

Clients have been known to call upon Delzio to find flawless pear diamonds, source a Riviera necklace valued at $49,000, and secure a pink sapphire and diamond ring worth $84,000. His relationship with jewelry industry giants like Citra Trading have made it possible.

"I like an educated client," Delzio said.

But if you’re in the market for sterling silver hoop earrings or a red cut-leather shoulder bag for $65, you can get those too. The Mexican Shack also carries $19 traditional Mexican blankets and hammered metal with inlaid mosaic tile-framed mirrors from $65 to $195. You'll also find the legendary pottery, which is what put Delzio and The Mexican Shack on the map in 1975 when it opened 2.5 miles down the road next to The Muscoot Inn. 

And it's not just the clients who are loyal. Adorned in gobs of silver and topaz bangles and necklaces, Linda Scheriff, of Somers, has worked at The Mexican Shack for 25 years and can name every stone in a piece of jewelry and tell you about the designer without batting an eye. Jeweler Robert Inghilterra sits quietly in the corner of the shop hidden by jewelry cases--he's a 22-year employee. Linda Yankovich has worked at the store more than 10 years.

Delzio has come a long way from his time in Arizona and the day he decided to drain the $300 business credit card his then-employer gave him to buy some Native American pottery. He hoped to bring the a few pieces back home to Somers to sell and cover the cost of his Western adventure. When he set up a stand on Route 100 next to King Kone, he couldn't supply the pottery fast enough. 

Today he's a collector, with some of his Mexican and nearly 300 Pepsi artifacts on display in the back of the store. His private Southwestern jewelry collection has been photographed for three books, including "Southwest Silver Jewelry" (Schiffer Books 2007) by Paula A. Baxter, a Westchester resident.

One thing that won't change about The Mexican Shack is it's connection to Somers--Delzio has no plans to change the current business model. "I want to focus on my Somers clients," he said. 

To learn more, visit The Mexican Shack, located at 252 Route 100 in Somers. Phone: 914-232-8739; Website: www.themexicanshack.com.

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