Small Business Spotlight: Tri-Dee Arts
Tri-Dee Arts in Downtown has transitioned from a retail store into a full-scale arts and crafts studio, offering hands-on creative experiences like pottery painting, tie-dye, and a new splatter paint room opening this July. Owner Summer Houlihan emphasizes the importance of community connection, aiming to create lasting memories through art while preserving the spirit of family-run, locally rooted businesses.
If you’ve been around Mount Vernon long enough, chances are you’ve stepped into Tri-Dee Arts. Maybe it was with your grandparents, for last-minute school supplies, or perhaps you just wandered through this space that feels packed with possibility. However, in recent years, the beloved store has undergone a transformation that speaks to a broader narrative of creativity, community, and adaptation in the face of change.
Summer Houlihan took over the business with her husband, Travis and remembers the significant moment when Tri-Dee first pivoted away from its traditional retail model.
“In 2018, we opened the pottery studio,” Summer said. “That was the first time we said, ‘let’s really flip the business model.”
The shift meant dedicating half of the store to hands-on art experiences, starting with a pottery studio complete with a kiln room, a newly installed bathroom, and an upstairs party space.
“We found that when we offered those hands-on opportunities, people stayed longer. They were making memories,” Summer said.
Today, the shift from retail has officially moved on to focus fully on providing hands-on, walk-in creative experiences. From pottery painting and glass fusing to spin art, tie-dye, and lantern-making, the studio is now a year-round destination for creativity.
This summer, the business will debut its newest and most immersive experience yet: a splatter paint room set to open in early July.
“We’re going to have a splatter paint room,” Summer excitedly said. “You can come in and have a birthday party or do it yourself. You’ll get a canvas, six colors of paint, gear, and then you’re all set to do whatever you want on your canvas.”
Tri-Dee’s mission extends beyond art making, as it truly highlights the community. Events like the Children’s Arts Festival, “Before I Die” mural walls, and street fair projects reflect Summer’s dedication to creating shared memories in downtown Mount Vernon.
“We did 80 pinch pots in just two days with second graders from Madison Elementary,” Summer explained. “Since there’s not a lot of art at the elementary level, we offer discounts to schools and homeschool groups to fill the creativity gap.”
She also highlighted that Tri-Dee’s mission is to engage with the community through creative art, backed by their actual family-run business.
“It’s just so meaningful that we’re a true family business here, and I don’t want to see those things go away,” Summer said.
The commitment to connection is why staying downtown matters to Summer, even when relocating might offer more foot traffic.
“We could probably take this business and move it somewhere else,” she acknowledged. “But being downtown is important. I love Mount Vernon. It’s a gem to me.”
Summer also recognizes the challenges small businesses face in an era dominated by convenience shopping and e-commerce.
“We’ve all lost meaningful transactions,” she reflected. “Whether it’s because we’re so busy, or because COVID changed how we shop, or because the internet makes everything so fast and easy–it’s easy to forget what community looks like.”
Looking ahead, Tri-Dee will continue to expand its walk-in offerings, making creativity accessible at any time.
“We want to have options for the spur-of-the-moment visitor and the return customer alike,” Summer said.
For her, it all comes back to creating experiences that last.
“A lot of people have creativity in them,” Summer said. “While some of them are practicing fine art, some people who have creativity in them just want to create something. And that’s what we’re here to provide.”
