Mrs. Spyder's Takes a Patch of Retail Space inside Shoppes of Port

Mrs. Spyder's Biker Patch started as a much more simple business than the large retail space that it now fills in the Shoppes of Port Washington in the city's downtown.

The all-encompassing biking business started out selling embroidered biker patches online; then, co-owner Brian Schowalter saw an opportunity in the abundance of stock available to buy from his then-employer Fine-Line Products — a wholesaler in Grafton.

Fine-Line Products was going out of business, and holding a liquidation sale. So, Mrs. Spyder's Biker Patch stock grew — but with no location to store it other than Schowalter's home.

Kelly Schowalter, Brian's wife and co-owner of the store, was downtown for Kiss of Indulgence this year, stopped by the Shoppes of Port Washington — and everything clicked.

Mrs. Spyder's Biker Patch now lives in the back left corner (when facing the building's entrance). The store opened on April 20, and it stocks items from T-shirts to incense to jackets and bandanas — and, of course, embroidered patches.

Their products aren't necessarily for Harley riders, but bikers in general — and Brian calls the place a "one-stop shop" for people interested in the "biker" hobby.

The Shoppes of Port Washington are a network of businesses located in the former Lueptow building, 211 N. Franklin St.; customers to the Shoppes can peruse kitchen remodeling products, local gifts and crafts, Port Washington memorabilia and more.

Located at the back of the store, next to Mrs. Spyder's Biker Patch, is Jane's Handy Sewing — which offers sewing and alteration services.

Mrs. Spyders and Jane's Sewing have been able to offer collaborative services to customers: Jane's Sewing can immediately attach Mrs. Spyder's embroidered patches to whichever piece of material the customer wants.

"So that's worked out really good here for us — and for the customer," Brian said.

Brian and Kelly are both Port Washington natives. Brian's nickname has been "Spyder," since high school — and Kelly naturally assumed the nickname "Mrs. Spyder," making it easy for them to create the business' name.