Virginia Tech art hub projected to close summer 2019 - Opinion Piece
April 15, 2019 | Sophia Trout
Photo: Mish Mish website
If we can raise thousands of dollars for strangers to get open heart surgery, surely the Blacksburg community could come together to save a beloved Virginia Tech landmark.
The closing of Mish Mish is reeling news for many architecture, interior design, and engineering students. My roommate is an interior design major and says she relies heavily on Mish Mish to purchase many of her supplies for class, especially if they get an assignment that requires material she doesn’t have on hand. As stated in other articles written about the closing, online shopping competitors have been moving business away from the store, but having the location be in walking distance from Virginia Tech’s campus makes it a luxury for many first-year design students. Being able to have immediate access to high-quality art supplies you can’t get at a craft store is a turn on for everyone from aspiring Tech students touring the campus to fifth-year students who’ve become regulars.
The owner of Mish Mish, Steve Miller, says he’s sad about the store closing, but with the rent currently at $8,000 and rising and insufficient staff it’s becoming a money pit to keep open. I believe there are vital steps that could be taken to keep the establishment open. For example, I am sure there is an adequate amount of Virginia Tech donors who have graduated from the College of Architecture and Urban Studies. Sending a notice out to them with the facts on Mish Mish would surely bring in some cash flow to keep the store open for a while longer. Part of the issue can be admitting you need help and I feel like that’s what Miller needs to do.
Another thing that needs addressing is the staffing issues. It’s been reported that during Millers leave of absence due to some health issues, employees would “reorder the same or similar merchandise” according to Collegiate Times writer Mackenzie Williams. If Mish Mish had proper management, incidents like that wouldn’t happen and therefore save the store money where it needs it. I’ve also read that Miller, who’s 70 this May, is looking to retire. If the store had a fresh-faced, young, enthusiastic manager who would continue this 49-year-old legacy of Mish Mish then maybe the store would be seeing brighter days in the future.
While all of those ideas are things I believe could’ve saved Mish Mish from closing, the daunting day is inevitable since Miller has confirmed the store's permanent closing this summer. Mish Mish I know will be missed by students and faculty alike, who’s creativity is sure to be capped by the inability to freely wander around the store, observe the supplies, and see where your creativity leads you. Hopefully, the stores legacy will live on and who knows, maybe Blacksburg will get another group of creative minds who’ll open a storefront that will last another 49 years.