Today, Mayor Bill Finch celebrated the grand opening of Artista Studios and Monument Works, a new small business registered with the City of Bridgeport’s Small & Minority Business Resource Office (SMBRO.) Artista Studios produces custom design monuments, artwork, and dimensional stone both for the monument industry and religious and spiritual industry.

Owner Jim Bria is originally from Fairfield county and has worked in the stone business for 40 years in the area. When he started to look for a location for his new business he found Bridgeport to be the most welcoming, business-friendly spot in the area. “We thought Bridgeport, as Connecticut’s largest city, would be a good market to be in,” said Bria. “We decided to invest in Bridgeport and we’re quite happy we did. Everyone has been very receptive and supportive. This has been a really a good place to do business.”

Jim was very proud tell me that all the work he does is done in Bridgeport.  He explained that many places that offer stones are just distributors and have them trucked in from Vermont.  Jim was also very proud to show of the statues he had in the works.  I kidded him if the items in the stone were really in the stone or was it through his hard work.  Jim said they are in there and an artist has to bring them out, that is why they carve the stone in a circle.  Who knew?!

Mayor Bill Finch said “With another business opening here in Bridgeport we see the importance of a city government that focuses on job creation and supporting small business,” said Mayor Finch. “Businesses like Artista Studios with the support of the City of Bridgeport’s Small & Minority Business Resource Office are making our city better every day.”.