Budapest-in-a-bag shop opened by artistic new moms

Travelers and locals in search of an "authentic" Hungarian souvenir can now confidently pass-up kitsch trinkets in favor of something more artistic, contemporary and usable with the opening of Bolt on Kertész utca 43-44. While it isn't for everyone - geared to those who'd prefer a recycled Hungarian bicycle-tire-belt to a flowery doily - Bolt breathes the retro of Hungary into souvenirs, clothes, jewelry, bags and home furnishings at fairly reasonable prices.

Claudia Martins

(Top) Vinyl made into fruit bowl; (center) handmade Budapest books, and (bottom) a Budapest tee-shirt - some of unique-to-Hungary gifts the newly opened Bolt sells.

Next door to the Budapest-staple retro bar Szimpla Dupla, the goodies in Bolt are just as hip and Hungarian. But the store - and it's name translates to just that - is actually the brainchild of two expats, Zita Majoros, a Yugoslavian-Hungarian graphic designer, and Claudia Martins, a Brazilian professional photographer. Both have lived in Budapest for only a few years and met coincidently last spring while giving birth at a local hospital.

Bolt came into being this fall when Majoros' former office, workshop and cultural space she shared with two others emptied. Not wanting to close down, she looked to Martins as a new partner in opening a store featuring work by local artists; a project they agree has been great for two artistically-minded new moms.

The 25-square meter space is small but neatly arranged into an impressive display of moderately priced but cool things. Top items include black or white Budapest T-shirts (Ft 5,000, €20), homemade cards with paprika (Ft 300, €1.20), notebooks with BP cityscapes (Ft 1,100, €4.25), Hungarian honey-bear candles (Ft 900, €3.50), and bicycle spokes turned into photo hangers. And then there is the vinyl from the 1950's Hungarian music melted into fruit bowls (Ft 11,500, €45), a great gift which includes a CD recording of the last song the record played before it was melted.

Martins and Majoros are self-proclaimed entrepreneur novices with only a month of experience under their recycled tire belts (Ft 5,000, €20), but they have looked to family and friends (both are married to Hungarians) for help with the business side of things. However they've drawn the line at letting anyone tell them what to sell.

"[People] have told us that we should sell stuff cheaper, and to do so by including imported T-shirts," says Majoros. "Because then we might be profitable."

Martins shakes her head: "But we won't! We are strong! We remain true to our vision." They laugh, agreeing that while it is a big task to change people's conceptions of art, Budapest, and gifts with a small store, they are not above trying.

"We're selling walking art, wearable art," says Martins, with a smile. "Bolt speaks to the youth of this city."

Indeed, the store lets the funky, urban air of contemporary Budapest bleed into gifts. Open seven days a week, Bolt carries the work of over twenty Hungarian artists including Attila Stark, Tomi Budha, Gabó Bartha , Anikó Piry, Csaba Lodi; some sell exclusively, others have provided unique work.

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