For Jereme Wensel, what began as a routine purchase at Stevens Paint Store in Corning, New York evolved into a multistate family enterprise.
Wensel, who was a young painter and frequent customer, now owns the store’s original legacy and has successfully expanded it, most recently opening the third Stevens Paint & Blinds location, in Marathon.
The expansion remains fundamentally a family affair, with ownership split three ways among himself, his wife Kelly and their daughter Mazzy.
“I was a painter for a really long time, and I always bought my paint at Stevens Paint Store, which is a Benjamin Moore paint store,” said Wensel. “The previous owner wanted to retire, and he asked if my wife and I would want to buy the store and the rest is history.”
Newly married right out of high school, Jereme and Kelly thought it was a good idea, so they purchased the original shop. Early success led to the first major expansion, which was adding window treatments and changing the name to Stevens Paint & Blinds. Recognizing they were pretty good at it, they soon opened a second location in Vestal, New York – and they still operate both Empire State locations today.
But while their business was thriving in the north, the Wensels’ hearts had always belonged to the Florida coast.
“We’ve always vacationed on the coast,” Kelly Wensel said. “We have four kids, and always spent our Christmas in Florida. The decision to expand here was a natural extension of that long-standing family tradition.”
Their personal love for the Keys became a business prospect serendipitously during a shutter installation back in New York. The customer, who owned Airbnbs in Marathon, suggested they consider the island community for their next store.
After conducting a market analysis and learning that Marathon lacked a Benjamin Moore store, the family made the commitment. They came down for a week in 2023, found a location and decided they wanted to spend the majority of their time here.
The new Marathon storefront is ambitious, occupying 3,000 square feet and operating as two stores in one, with a full paint section and a dedicated window treatment showroom. Kelly Wensel oversees the paint side, while Jereme manages the window treatments.
The family has a dedicated team handling their New York operations, allowing them the flexibility to be present in Florida. Daughter Mazzy has taken on the role of store manager for the new Keys location. She works alongside a trusted employee with more than five years of experience.
The Wensels were prepared to open their doors sooner, but faced a challenging year of delays and red tape. Despite the setbacks, they officially opened two weeks ago, focused on their core business philosophy.
“We offer superior products and small-town customer service,” said Jereme. “One of the things that helps … is the relationships that we build with members of the community. When you come to our store, we always make sure we’re getting you the right product for the right price.”
The Wensels are keen to stress the value of shopping locally, actively challenging the idea that larger stores mean cheaper prices. By operating as a local, family-owned business, they ensure their revenue stays in the Marathon community. This commitment to local engagement is already visible; the family has joined both the Marathon Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce, actively participating in community events they describe as much more “alive” than the equivalents in their New York hometowns.
“Our customers, they aren’t really just customers, they’re our neighbors and our friends,” Kelly said. “We live in the community and we get to know a lot of people through our Rotary and Chamber of Commerce involvement that we are really proud to be a part of.”
With the delays behind them, the Wensel family is ready to serve the Florida Keys. From their initial vision as newlyweds to now managing three thriving locations, the Wensels have cultivated a legacy built on family, hard work and a genuine connection to every community they join.
Visit the new store at 236 Sombrero Beach Road in Marathon, next to the Brass Monkey, or visit stevenspaintandblindsfl.com.
Photos by JEN ALEXANDER/Keys Weekly
