By gloria stravelli
Staff Writer
Mrs. Claus sports a leather bolero jacket over a bustier, thigh stockings and stiletto heels compliments of Spykes.
Santa’s "Ho-Ho-Ho!" could turn into "Oh-Oh-Oh!" when the old gent peeks into his sack of presents during Christmas Eve deliveries.
In among the toys and gifts this year, St. Nick may spot a saucy pair of 6-inch spike-heel shoes or a delicate lace teddy from Spykes, a new leather and lingerie store that has recently opened at 107 Shrewsbury Ave. on Red Bank’s west side.
"Our focus is the feminine, stiletto-heel shoe," explained owner Mary Jennings, pointing to the shop’s wide selection of a shoe style favored by glamorous movie stars of another era.
Spykes, which derives its name from the 4-to-6-inch high heels, has a wide variety of the shoes, ranging from glam lucite platforms with marabou trim to mod hologram models to thigh-high boots with chops. Shoes range from $30-$140.
Jerry Wolkowitz Mary Jennings shows off some of the leather apparel available at Spykes, her new store on Shrewsbury Avenue in Red Bank that features high-heel shoes, leatherwear and lingerie
To complement the heels, the shop has an extensive selection of tights and thigh-high stockings, including trendy Cuban thigh-high stockings, which have seams and decorations at the ankle.
Spykes also features a full line of apparel and accessories for men and women, which are made from different types of high-quality leather. Jennings explained that softer lamb leather is used for suppleness in coats, skirts, bolero jackets and lingerie, while thicker buffalo hide is used in biker wear like jackets, gloves and bags. Leather in faux finishes such as snake is also featured in the store. Prices for leather items start at $10 for gloves and at $159 for jackets.
Jennings and manager Terri DesBiens will help customers shop for additional biker gear from in-store catalogs.
The shop’s feminine lingerie section features both leather and lace items, including garters, bustiers, corsets and teddies.
Gloria Stravelli Shoes and boots with stiletto heels and thigh-high stockings are the focus at Spykes.
Also, shoppers may catalog-shop for racier items that Jennings refers to as "sexy, fun fantasy-wear."
"I like high heels, and when I go shopping, I can’t find high, feminine heels," Jennings explained. "Women like to feel sexy."
Cued into the problem by her own experience, Jennings decided to embark on her first retail venture — she and her husband, Roy, own a local contracting business — and surveyed friends and family.
"I did my own market analysis," she said. "I found that a lot of mature women wanted sexy leather corsets and bustiers instead of the frilly stuff.
"That’s very European," said the Middletown resident, noting that some of the shop’s wares are considered appropriate streetwear in some European cities.
The decision to locate on Shrewsbury Avenue was a result of several factors. Jennings’ husband grew up there. Also, the couple owns property in the area. In addition, they both have an interest in adding to the business mix on the west side.
"Shrewsbury Avenue used to be the main shopping street in Red Bank. This was the street to drive down," said Roy Jennings. "We’d like to bring a little of that back."
DesBiens said Spykes’ customers range in age from teens through 60-somethings, and couples frequently come in to shop together.
According to Jennings, that’s a niche market Spykes is aiming for.
"Our thought was that when a guy comes in to buy his woman some pretty lingerie, he can buy himself a jacket, gloves or a hat at the same time," she said.
The shop has a growing following of club-goers and exotic dancers, added DesBiens.
Jennings said shopping at Spykes should be fun.
"Most women would love their husband to bring them a nice, lacy corset; it says, ‘This is how I see you, honey,’" she said.
That might even extend to Santa, she mused, who could enliven things back at the North Pole after his all-night stint.
Quipped Jennings, "We have the outfit for Mrs. Claus."
Spykes is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.