ArtWalk Tile's Showroom Stocked with Creativity

A museum-like store and always changing inventory are trademarks of a local home decorating business.

A local couple started ArtWalk Tile seven years ago with a vision of a creative showroom and successful business.

What started out as Joe Ventura's interest in tile making grew into a local and national business.

ArtWalk Tile opened its doors just seven years ago, providing a unique inventory of tiles for customers.

"We wanted to originally build a store that was more artistic, more like a museum, where people would come in and say 'Wow,'" said Ventura.

Joe and his wife Donna now take on all aspects of running their own business.

"Pretty much everything, you wear your own hat. You have to when it's your own business. Marketing, advertising, sales," said Donna Ventura.

Instead of traditional shelves and racks, inventory is displayed like art. Large tables in the store allow customers to try out pieces hands-on.

ArtWalk started out handcrafting its tiles, but now hand selects imported inventory. They hope to start making their own tiles again.

They do not do any installations, but they have several contractors they can refer to customers.

The inventory is constantly changing to keep up with the wide range of customers.

"We've worked with anybody from just homeowners to large builders, custom home builders, anywhere in between," explained Donna.

ArtWalk also supplies tiles to Lowe's Home Improvement stores in nine states. They have taken on "big name" projects like the Microsoft headquarters in Seattle.

"The projects range from medium-sized homes all the way up to a local YMCA," Joe said.

Other local projects include the New York Wine and Culinary Center and RIT's Park Point.

ArtWalk has many customers who keep coming back to check out new products.

Donna said, "We've survived this long on just word of mouth. It's the best advertising we can offer."

ArtWalk Tile