Smartfish Studio and Sustainable Supply wants to fill niche in OTR

By some accounts, Alisha Budkie's new venture should come as no surprise. The graduate of the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) is on track for the Aug. 26 opening of Smartfish Studio and Sustainable Supply, an art and design supply resource based at the corner of 13th and Main streets in Over-the-Rhine.

Budkie says her idea for the store springs from the environment she observed as a design student.

"My first focus is on all the local schools and students that are here," she says, referring to DAAP, the Art Academy of Cincinnati, the School for Creative and Performing Arts, and the legions of students drawn to the schools' art and design programs.

Budkie explains that, while local suppliers such as Suder's Art Store in Over-the-Rhine carry a wide range of standard glues, paints and artists' supplies, she hopes to complement their offerings with something a bit different. Smartfish will stock products that are American made, locally sourced and/or sustainable alternatives to standard products. Budkie will also work with clients to special-order hard-to-find materials, she says.

"I'm trying to cover a very broad range, and go beyond what's available locally," she says.

Her undertaking appears to have support from the community.

"People are recognizing Over-the-Rhine as a great place to live, work, shop and play," says Brian Tiffany, president of the OTR Chamber, in a video posted on Budkie's website.

He points out what could be a big advantage for Budkie: the store's physical location. "Those corners are critical to driving traffic," he says, noting that a retail business located on a corner will draw traffic from a three-block radius.

The three blocks surrounding Smartfish hold a high density of design studios, architecture firms, art galleries and businesses launched by Budkie's fellow DAAP graduates. These residents and business owners, she hopes, will appreciate having a resource within walking distance.

And the foot traffic might doubly appreciate it, given Budkie's other business: the designer included a workshop in the Smartfish space where she produces Smartfish Footwear, her line of men's and women's shoes.

By Matt Cunningham
Follow Matt on Twitter @cunningcontent