Fast-growing Board & Brush inspiring QC creative crafters

Newbies to Board & Brush Quad Cities walk into the studio unsure whether they have the creative talent to produce one of the colorful and artistic pieces displayed throughout the business at 5159 Utica Ridge Road, Davenport. But they walk out three hours later with a professional-looking personalized porch or fireplace sign, planter, large trivet, […]

Newbies to Board & Brush Quad Cities walk into the studio unsure whether they have the creative talent to produce one of the colorful and artistic pieces displayed throughout the business at 5159 Utica Ridge Road, Davenport. But they walk out three hours later with a professional-looking personalized porch or fireplace sign, planter, large trivet, door mat, or any one of a number of home décor projects that are available at the studio owned by Christina and Brooks Smith. In the process, the participants have made a few new friends, had some laughs, even sipped on wine at this do-it-yourself business that is part of a fast-growing franchise started by a family in Hartland, Wisconsin. Board & Brush has 270 locations in the United States and is expanding into Canada and Japan, according to the corporate website. Board & Brush Quad Cities, which opened in October, is the fourth franchise to open in Iowa, following locations in Clive, Dubuque and Hiawatha. There are also a number of locations in Illinois, clustered in the Chicago suburbs. In fact, it was after Ms. Smith went to the Dubuque studio with her mother for a workshop (“We had so much fun!”) that she and her husband were inspired to look into starting their own business.

“I thought this would be phenomenal to bring to the Quad Cities. We do a lot of home remodeling projects; it kind of fits our skill set in that nature,” she said. The couple, both graduates of North Scott High School and the University of Iowa, used those skills, with help from their families, to construct the check-in desk, the bar area, and the tables where projects come together at numerous workshops scheduled monthly. There are workshops tailored for any number of groups – from a pick-your-project for those 16 years and over, family reunions, children’s birthday parties, girls’ night out, bachelorette parties, and even corporate team building. Businesses large and small, including John Deere, Revive at The Group, Animal Emergency Center of the Quad Cities, Sweet Tooth and Lifetime Eyehealth Associates have scheduled workshops for employees.  Those sessions typically involve smaller projects at a cost of $35 per person. Mr. Smith said the studio’s proximity to several restaurants make it easy for groups to lunch together and walk to the studio for a workshop. There are more than 800 designs that crafters can choose from for their projects, and 15 to 20 new designs are added each month. The typical “pick-your-project” workshop costs $73 (an additional surcharge of $5 if hardware is required), and kids workshops are $25. Board & Brush fans eagerly await the announcement of new designs on its Facebook page on the first of the month. New March offerings included Easter designs and botanical projects. Workshop themes are advertised on the website at www.boardandbrush.com/quadcities, and new ones are added frequently. 

Theme nights include Wine Down Wednesdays and Thirsty Thursdays. Kids workshops, where youngsters can create personalized signs, small storage boxes and “mini-rounds,” are popular as witnessed during a workshop held on Presidents Day, a school holiday. The studio was full on Monday, Feb. 19, as kids, supervised by parents and grandparents, busily sanded, stained, and dabbed paint over personalized stencils for their selected projects. Linda Jones, of Eldridge, watched as her granddaughters, Anna, 12, and Elena, 8, worked on signs to decorate their rooms. The girls picked out their projects after looking at the choices online. Assisting them was Ms. Smith’s mother, Nancy Herrin. “Friends and family” is a phrase Mr. Smith uses often to describe the special attraction of attending a workshop at Board & Brush. “That was a big draw to us – something for people to go ahead and do together,” he said. “This is something that’s a little different. You come and do a craft for three-plus hours, and you get to spend time with your friends and family.” A Saturday workshop in late February was another perfect example. Betty Strom, of LeClaire, a veteran of several workshops, strolled into the studio about a half hour before the scheduled 1 p.m. start time.  Registration and payment for workshops is all done online, and most classes close 24 hours in advance. Parties are booked separately. This gives the Smiths time to prepare materials for the various projects that are requested. The Smiths greeted Ms. Strom, one of their first customers, like a long-time friend. “I really enjoy this,” she said. “These guys are so helpful with everything. I enjoy doing crafting-type stuff.”

As additional participants checked in, they were directed to their work space, where work tools such as paint brushes, protective gloves, hammers and even a meat tenderizer (to add a distressed look to their wood projects) await them. Mr. Smith was in charge of the music playlist on this day – Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi and John Mellencamp. But groups can request their own selections. Shari Baker and Jenny Kitsis, both of Bettendorf, signed up together, looking for something to do. They walked out hours later, smiling at the projects they created. Bonnie Brotman of Bettendorf had attended several workshops. “I think the designs bring me back,” she said. “There are so many designs and so many fun things to do.” Ms. Smith said the couple strives for a high level of customer service. “We have a guarantee you’ll like your project when you get home,” she said. “We want you to put it on your walls; we don’t want you to put it in your closet.”  FOR MORE INFORMATION: Board & Brush Quad Cities: www.boardandbrush.com/quadcities [email protected] 5159 Utica Ridge Road, Davenport (563) 340-7487 On Facebook at Board & Brush Quad Cities