Milwaukee's Daily Magazine Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009
Today
Hi: 54
Lo: 36
Sun
Hi: 44
Lo: 30
Mon
Hi: 44
Lo: 32
Section Sponsor
Article Tools
Print this Article
Make text larger
Related Twitter Posts

  • AnnFromHB:
    The boys are ready 2 head out.Off 2 the tide pools & beach, miniture golf & bowling, the movies & out 2 eat or Legoland.No malls 4 us today!

  • rustincharles:
    Going to have an amazing day of nothing. Maybe reading or cleaning. Then going bowling with my crew tonight. Holler. Might go clubbing tom.

  • TravelSizeHelen:
    Good morning Friday. We're starting w a bowling battle of the grandma's. Who will win? Hlas or Hernandez...epic

  • peej1971:
    @AlisonMitchell hi is it bad bowling or good batting

  • SocialSteve:
    Are you throwing darts in the dark or are you working The Social Media Marketing Funnel? link #smmf #in


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. "New Moon" musings
Sunday
Last night, along with my 16-year-old niece, I saw "New Moon," the latest film in Stephanie ...

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. Today's oxymoron: calorie counting at Culver's
Nov. 18, 2009
I like the fast food eatery's Wisconsin roots, but other than that, I'm not a big fan, ...

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. "Beer water" is not beer and that's OK
Nov. 14, 2009
Let's get a few things straight. MGD Light 64 and Bud Select 55 are not a beer-drinker's ...

Three restaurants say goodbye to Milwaukee diners
Nov. 09, 2009
Two Milwaukee restaurants closed recently, and a third will serve its last meal this Sunday. ...

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. Nope, pipes and kids don't mix
Nov. 06, 2009
Recently, I dated myself without even realizing it. My son told me he wanted to make magic ...



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 4007 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