Owner-Operator, Jacki Jaeger, built KEPS From the ground up, as a shopping destination and safe space for all. On a recent April Wednesday, KEPS, LLC Eco Boutique, located at 123 North Water Street, in Sparta, was bustling with business, as locals and visitors stopped into the sunlit shop to find eco conscious and fairtrade gifts, clothes, CBD products, books, art, toys, and more.
One couple came in to pick up a beautiful set of turquoise and silver rings, handmade by shop owner, Jacki/Jake Jaeger, who recently accomplished a lifelong goal in learning the art of jewelry making and silversmithing. When the multi-talented Jaeger decided to open KEPS in the heart of her hometown, she wanted to offer something unique to her beloved community. She had brought a one stop shop; a safe space to raise her kids; and the ability to follow her dreams. Jaeger wanted the space to support and inspire eco consciousness, inclusiveness, fairtrade, and other core beliefs that Jacki carries close to her heart.
The KEPS Name: It’s a Family Thing
KEPS is an acronym for her children: Kendall, Ember, Payton, and Skyler. Jacki beams when she says that each of her children has enjoyed contributing their unique talents to the shop. Skyler helped place labels and stamp bags in the beginning. Kendall still works in the store regularly. Payton was huge in helping the space get created. She enjoys coming in to refresh the space and helps by working in the shop during bigger events.
Jacki gushed, “Payton created the facade out front, the checkout counter, and the artful lighting fixture just inside the entrance. She did all the floor and ceiling renovations too! She’s such a gem- KEPS is as much hers as it is mine.” Ember continues to love this space. Ember was uniquely born and raised at KEPS and is quite knowledgeable. In addition to receiving help from family over the years, Jacki has also enjoyed employing extraordinary local women with good vibes.
KEPS Roots: How it All Began
KEPS got its start out of a rented basement of a relative’s house, in 2010, where Jaeger worked through the night, formulating and crafting a variety of high quality, natural wellness products. She was approaching a huge life change and as a mom of four, and was determined to create the best life she could for her kids. Her products became highly sought after.
Business by word of mouth steadily grew, and she added the Sparta Farmers Market and Kriskindlmarkt to her ‘market portfolio’. In 2015, with the encouragement of the Sparta Area City Hall, Jacki made the bold step of opening her first brick and mortar location, at 122 South Water Street. She found the space in March of 2015, and worked tirelessly, with the help of family, friends, and a matching/low interest small business loan from the City of Sparta Economic Development and Block Grant Commission, to create her first store. She worked with her newborn strapped to her back. In September of 2015, she opened, offering her handmade products, as well as eco-conscious clothing, bicycling accessories and attire, gifts, and art.
Growth, Tragedy, and a Resilient Come Back
Business continued to grow, and in 2017, KEPS expanded into the neighboring space, with KEPS on one side, and KEPS KIDS on the other. Jacki happily filled it with high quality, eco-conscious toys, books, and clothing for kids, with Montessori-inspired, unplugged, and hands-on items highlighted. Sadly, suddenly, and shockingly, in 2019, a fire broke out in the basement of the shop, and all of her inventory was lost. But Jacki would not give up.
After a short time and a deep breath, like a phoenix, she came back even stronger: she bought the building where KEPS stands today at 123 N Water Street, and completely renovated it with her family and friends.
Layers of ceiling and floors came up, a new concrete floor was poured, and suspended lighting, handcrafted by her daughter Payton, was installed to greet everyone who walks in the door with the joy of art and light. Jacki and her crew have worked hard to fill the space with items which inspire style, gift giving, eco consciousness, fair trade, inclusion, and kindness. As a result, it’s the kind of place that truly draws you in. Jaeger says, “It’s my favorite place to be.”
We just learned about the roots of KEPS. In an upcoming part two, we will look at how Jacki is branching out. She continues to evolve and grow her business in ways that add value, opportunities, and experiences for our community: creating a new venue for creative expression, developing her personal passions, and giving back to her community, all while creating a safe, calm and inspiring space for people to come into, wind down from the chaos of everyday life, and feel truly welcome.
Jacki wants everyone who comes in to feel seen, heard, and welcome. She values all of this over people coming in and spending any money. She has weathered challenges, such as fire loss and the mass COVID shutdowns. Today, KEPS needs more local business in order to stay open. Over 80% of sales are from La Crosse County and tourists. Jacki says, “We know you have choices. Thank you for choosing us.”
People can shop KEPS, LLC Eco-boutique online, at shopKEPS.com Jacki can be reached at 608-269-KEPS, or by email, at kepsllc@gmail.com
KEPS is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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