Rochester-based ArtWalk Tile's business booming

When they began in 2001 to renovate the building at 28 Atlantic Ave., Joe and Donna Ventura knew they wanted to start a business, but weren't quite sure just what kind.

The couple was determined to fix up the building, in the middle of what Donna said Thursday used to be an "rough neighborhood."

"We had investment properties in Rochester, and this was just one of them," she said.

Two years later, the Venturas opened their high-end, custom tile company, ArtWalk Tile. Now they have a showroom at their Atlantic Avenue location, and Donna said she has watched the neighborhood transform into a desirable area once again.

Despite having no professional education in design, Joe started working with tile when he was 17 years old and he continued to teach himself about the art of tile making and laying tile through the years. He comes from an artistic background: His father and his sisters all are artists.

"Stepping stones is what got us to where we are today," Donna said. "The whole process of our business and the growth were all stepping stones. Joe made connections with different designers and such when he would go to conventions about tiles, and everything snowballed from there."

The company now boasts roughly 5,000 clients, who are served by eight employees. ArtWalk Tile supplies home improvement giant Lowe's with 15 different types of glass tiles in 37 of its stores nationwide. The Henrietta, Canandaigua and Brockport locations all offer ArtWalk Tile.

"Home Depot approached us last year about supplying them with tile," Joe said, but "we are under contract with Lowe's until they don't like what we have to offer anymore. Lowe's also has the clientele who match the type of work we do."

Joe said most Lowe's shoppers are women and men who watch design shows and want to do remodeling work.

"These people are looking for higher end glass that is different and unique," he said.

The Venturas will work with within clients' budgets when it comes to providing custom tiles, and always ensure quality work.

ArtWalk Tile provides Lowe's with price pointed tile. They import tile from Italy, China and India.

In addition to Lowe's, ArtWalk Tile recently completed some major projects throughout the country, including a Wolfgang Puck restaurant at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., a Giorgio Armani store on Madison Avenue in New York City and the new Microsoft headquarters in Seattle, Wash.

Closer to home, ArtWalk Tile also recently completed a major project at the YMCA in Penfield.

"We do a lot of business outside of Rochester, as far as distribution goes, but our business also continues to grow in Rochester," Joe said.

The Venturas said their company is weathering the current economy, and they are finding that customers are continuing to invest in their homes.

The company also conducts a great deal of business online.

ArtWalk Tile began working with clients in Canada about five months ago, and the couple plans to open a satellite showroom in Saratoga Springs by the summer of 2010.

"We had several inquiries from Saratoga Springs, and the residential aspect of that area is booming with houses and condos," Donna said.

That showroom will not be as large as the Rochester location, however.

"People always talk about how conservative Rochester is, but they would be surprised if they saw the projects Rochester residents have in mind. We wouldn't be the company we are today without Rochester resident," Donna said. "People are looking for something unique and are very appreciative that we're here. ... It's easy for us to sell things that we're excited about."