Drivers traveling on County Road 39 in Southampton knew when they were passing Behind the Fence Gallery. The large statues of Marilyn Monroe, Dracula and dinosaurs, among others, were hard to miss.
Now, cars passing by 651 West Main St. in Riverhead will have the same experience, as the business moved to town in the fall, bringing along its varied selection of statues and collectibles.
Alison Jennerich of Baiting Hollow bought the business in September after working there for seven years. Behind the Fence Gallery had operated in Southampton for about 30 years. Two of its four employees have joined her at the Riverhead location.
Jennerich was able to make the move and re-launch the business with a boost from a Small Business Administration loan. The whole process took her about a year.
“Everybody driving by is stopping in [and asking] ‘What is going on here?’ It’s exciting because people can stop and take pictures; they’re bringing their kids,” she says.
“All of a sudden, you have an opportunity to do something that you really love to do. And then to be able to do it and find a spot where you grew up … that doesn’t happen for a lot of people.”
Alison Jennerich
Inside the store, patrons will find more statues of superheroes such as Superman as well as animals including giraffes and cows, fun games like Monopoly: Hamptons edition and small gifts such as vintage Disney figures and Ty Beanie Babies. The shop also offers a collection of vinyl records and crystals.
“There’s something for everyone here,” Jennerich says. “People don’t realize when they drive by. They see these big statues — and not everyone needs a giant statue — but when they come inside, we have little gifts.”
For Jennerich, opening this business in town brings things full circle.
“I was born and raised here, and you work your whole life and then all of a sudden, you have an opportunity to do something that you really love to do,” she says. “And then to be able to do it and find a spot where you grew up … that doesn’t happen for a lot of people.”
Since the property stretches all the way back to the Peconic River, Jennerich has big plans for when the weather warms up.
“By next summer we want to have maybe picnic tables and a walk-through with all the statues,” she says. “It’s fun for kids and adults.”
Being a woman business owner in her own community has had as profound an impact on Jennerich as, perhaps, the giant statues are having on her community.
“It’s a big accomplishment,” she says. “It’s a powerful thing; it’s not easy. I think it’s more difficult sometimes [for women] to do it, so I want other women to know … if you have a plan and want to do it, you can do it.”
Behind the Fence Gallery is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday hours are by appointment. For more information, visit behindthefencegallery.com.
