A great business is more than just a storefront. It’s a story. 

And if you step into Urban Artisan in downtown Geneva, you’ll feel that story in every piece of handcrafted artwork, every locally inspired design, and every one-of-a-kind gift that cues the inevitable question: “Where did you get that!?” 

In fact, the local business will be celebrating its third anniversary on Wednesday, March 19. But more on that later.

First, let’s take a step back to where it all began — with hot sauce.

A spicy beginning

Back in 2014, husband-and-wife team Cortney and Graig Kinzler (originally from Sandwich and St. Charles respectively) weren’t making wood signs and eye-catching coasters. They were making people sweat — selling Voodoo Chile Hot Sauces under their original business, Black Angel Saucery. 

Traveling from street festival to street festival in Chicago, they quickly became a fixture in the Second City’s famous food scene.

The success of the hot sauce business created momentum, and momentum created opportunity — eventually leading to their expansion into handmade wood signs and stone coasters. 

Crafted using an ink transfer technique Cortney discovered during maternity leave a few years prior, the signs were just a side project at first. But soon, demand for them skyrocketed, quickly transforming them from a complementary add-on into a fixture of their product offerings.

“We never set out to be in the home decor business — we were two former athletes who never considered ourselves as artists,” Cortney said. “The hot sauce business was fun, but when we introduced the art, it just clicked. We realized we had something special.”

By the time they moved to the western suburbs in 2017, it was clear: Hot sauce is great, but the coasters were the future. 

The path to a permanent home

Like every small business, the Kinzlers faced challenges — challenges they confronted head on. The pandemic forced a major shift, moving them from festivals to vendor marketplaces like Andersonville Galleria (Chicago), The Rustic Fox (North Aurora) and Painted Tree (Naperville). 

That ability to pivot and grow proved key to their success. 

“We kept evolving, finding new ways to connect with people and keep our business moving forward,” Cortney said.

In 2021, they earned a coveted spot in the Batavia Boardwalk Shops, a business incubator program (and popular community gathering place) that helps entrepreneurs test the waters with small-scale retail in an inviting, approachable setting. 

A successful stint at the Boardwalk Shops led to their next major milestone: Opening the Urban Artisan retail shop in downtown Geneva in 2022.

The latest chapter

Today, Urban Artisan is more than just a store — it’s a local staple, a place to discover a unique gift, a humorous piece of decor or a little slice of the city. And it’s now their primary focus. 

To celebrate, Urban Artisan will be giving out scratch-off discount cards every day from March 16-23, with discounts of up to 20% or a free item with purchase. They’ll also be participating in the Geneva Lucky Charms promotion, offering a bonus coin with every purchase. 

On the anniversary itself (Wednesday, March 19) and again on Saturday (March 22), every purchase will come with a free gift. Keep your eyes peeled for additional bonuses announced throughout the week. 

For the Kinzlers, every move they’ve made has been driven by a belief in dreaming big. “One of our favorite quotes from Daniel Burnham is ‘Make no little plans,’ and that’s exactly how we’ve approached our business,” Cortney said. 

Beyond the storefront, Urban Artisan has worked to make supporting the community an integral part of their approach. Cortney serves on the Geneva Chamber’s Women in Business board and regularly donates coasters to help out with local fundraisers.

Urban Artisan proudly carries products from other local makers, including collaborations with Gindo’s Hot Sauce in St. Charles and Geneva-based artist Thalo Halo.

The shop is also primarily staffed by Geneva High School students, providing valuable experience for the next generation of creators and entrepreneurs.

Want to experience the Urban Artisan story? Learn more about Celebration Week, visit their storefront at 27 S. 3rd St. in Geneva or check out their online shop. 

Urban Artisan is a sponsor of Tri-Cities Central. This is sponsored content.

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