Milwaukee's Daily Magazine Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009
Today
Hi: 72
Lo: 46
Sun
Hi: 61
Lo: 50
Mon
Hi: 58
Lo: 41
Section Sponsor
Article Tools
Print this Article
Make text larger
Related Twitter Posts

  • londonlebowski:
    Selection of bowling shirts on eBay - link or 10% of TenPinShop.com orders using LEBOWSKI code link

  • MikeWatkins123:
    @achrisevans Isn't darts a game? kind of like 'shove halfpenny' or table skittles, don't you have to sweat in a sport?

  • Oh_kikiMandy:
    party, karaoke or bowling? wish i can split

  • izzadiyanana:
    says a long dress and heels to bowling session? Serious or what? link

  • omgiitsnicole:
    @MGChislett where did you go bowling at 1AM? hhah or is that from earlier.. we definitely don't have bowling allies open that late hahah


Follow us on Twitter ...
In Marketplace Briefs
Art Smart's finds new niche
 
By Molly Snyder Edler RSS Feed Twitter Feed
OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer

E-mail author | Author bio
More articles by Molly Snyder Edler

Published Oct. 28, 2002 at 5:12 a.m.
Tags: disc golf, juggling, darts, bowling, kites, art smart's, quirky, magic, clowns

Since 1985, Art Smart's Dart Mart has colorfully claimed the corner of Brady and Humboldt. Many shops have come and gone on the street that, for a while, suffered an identity crisis, but Art Smart's somehow rolled with it all and survived.

"We try to keep the Brady Street bohemian feel going," says shop employee Chuck Pins, referring to the street's transition from '80s gritty hippie to '90s yuppie chi-chi.

Best known as a dart mart and juggling emporium, Art Smart's offers an array of darts, dartboards and a wide selection of juggling supplies. These days, people aren't just juggling balls and oranges, rather fiery torches, long scarves or big knives, all of which are available at the East Side shop.

However, in the past few years, the shop found another niche, this time, in the world of disc golf. Art Smart's sells everything a disc golfer could possibly desire, including the discs, targets, bags, rule books and course directories for the popular sport.

The sport requires different discs for different shots, just like golf clubs. These colorful discs of different sizes and functions are stacked throughout the store, adding to the already colorful and crowded environment.

A number of Milwaukee parks offer disc golf, including Dretzka Park and Valley View.

Store owner James Boland has been a dart player for years, and decided to open a dart supply shop after buying out a friend's inventory. He later moved into the juggling realm after another friend bought a resort and as a gimmick taught his visitors, including Boland, how to juggle. And finally, another friend who was a kiting enthusiast suggested to Boland that he sell kites, too.

"It sounded like a good idea to me," says Boland. "Darts, kites and juggling are all things that fly."

Gag gifts are also big here. The quirky corner shop offers a great selection of squirting flowers, invisible ink, garlic candies, clacking teeth, Amish punching puppets, stuffed armadillos, toilet seat key chains, fake old food and a bevy of other tricks and trinkets that would've gotten you kicked right out of the sixth grade.

"The great thing about this place is that it's filled with stuff people don't need," says Pins. "So people come in here not because they have to, but just to have fun."

Post a comment / write a review.

Recent blogs/briefs by Molly Snyder Edler
What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. 11 benefits of being an adoptive mom
Monday
The adoptive mom lets go of a lot, but she receives an abundance in return, too. Here ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Can you politely "unfriend" on Facebook?
Oct. 30, 2009
A real friend from the real world told me she wanted to clean up her Facebook page and ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Rapid review: Centro Cafe
Oct. 29, 2009
Today's quick review focuses on Riverwest's newest eatery, Centro Cafe. It's a cozy, Italian ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Are spelling tests stupid?
Oct. 26, 2009
I spend hours a week grilling my kid on spelling words, and even though I'm a writer, ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Rapid review: Roots Restaurant & Cellar
Oct. 22, 2009
Here's a mini review of Roots, a fresh and natural restaurant in Brewer's Hill with an ...



Reader Poll
Where's the best neighborhood to buy a house or condo in Milwaukee?
East Side
Bay View
Downtown
Riverwest
Wauwatosa
Brookfield/Waukesha
Shorewood/Whitefish Bay
Other

Results after 3857 votes.

OnMilwaukee.com is part of the In Click Network. Other In Click sites include: 30RockReport.com | Behind The Scenes at OnMilwaukee.com | BetterRecipes.org | Bimmer Digest | Brain Brawn & Body | BrewCityBeats.com | Brewcitybigscreen.com | britneysnation.com | BritPop Rocks | Brooklynbanter.com | CactusLeagueReport.com | Caffeinateddigest.com | Culinary Piedmont | Cycling Chainring | Daily Lost Update | Daily Milwaukee News | Daily Spa | DannyGokeyMilwaukee.com | Dogs Blogs | EarthFueled.com | Edible Wisconsin | FanaticPhotog.com | Gadget Deals and Steals | GolfLinksWisconsin.com | H1N1 Alerts | H1N1 Blog | H1N1 Prevention | H1N1 Reporter | H1N1 Tracker | HogEnthusiast.com | Informed Runner | iPhone Daily Report | Man United Nation | Milwaukee Brewers Nation | Milwaukee Bucks Blog | Milwaukee Dad | Minnesota Wild Nation | MomMilwaukee.com | My Super Stocks | MyGayMilwaukee.com | MyHangoverHelper | News on Draught | NY Mets Nation | OnAtlantaGA.com | OnAustinTX.com | OnBaltimoreMD.com | OnBirminghamAL.com | OnBostonMass.com | OnBuffaloNY.com | OnCharlotteNC.com | OnCincinnati.com | OnClevelandOH.com | OnColumbusOH.com | OnDallas.com | OnDCmetro.com | OnDenverCO.com | OnDetroitMI.com | OnDoorCounty.org | OnFortLauderdale.com | OnGreenBay.com | OnHartford.com | OnIndianapolisIN.com | OnKansasCityMO.com | OnLakeCountry.com | OnLosAngelesCA.com | OnLouisvilleKY.com | OnMadison.com | OnMemphisTN.com | OnMiamiFLA.com | OnMilwaukee.com Cars | OnMilwaukee.com Metro Headlines | OnNashvilleTN.com | OnNewOrleansLA.com | OnNYCny.com | OnOrlandoFL.com | OnPalmSprings.com | OnPhiladelphia.com | OnPhoenixAZ.com | OnPittsburgh.com | OnPortlandOR.com | OnProvidence.com | OnRichmondVA.com | OnSacramento.com | OnSaltLakeCity.com | OnSanAntonioTX.com | OnSanDiegoCA.com | OnSanFran.com | OnSanJose.com | OnSeattleWA.com | OnSinCity.com | OnStLouis.com | OnStPetersburg.com | OnTampaBay.com | OnTucsonAZ.com | OnTwinCities.com | OnWichita.com | OnWindyCity.com | Packers Posts | Porsche 911 Fans | PriusFans.com | Roller Derby Network | SnuggieFans.com | SummerfestRocks.com | Swine Flu China | Swine Flu Reporter | The 24 Reporter | The Barack Obama Fan Club | The Brilliant Manager | The Comic Book Reporter | The In Click | The Office Fan Blog | TheHDTVReporter.com | TheNetbookBlog.com | TheNewParentBlog.com | Trueguitarheroes.com | Vintage Mets | VW Busses | WaukeshaWeekly.com | Weekly Media News | Wisconsincustomhomenews.com | WisWomen.com | Woodworker Digest