New pottery painting studio now open in Algonquin
After being in the real estate business or 26 years, Alison Nieto was ready for a change.
She and her husband, Andy, decided they wanted to do something new and fun, while also opening a business the community could embrace.
Last week, the couple, who moved to the Algonquin area from Tennessee five years ago, opened Fox Valley Pottery along the Randall Road corridor in Algonquin. The business is just west of Randall Road, 2743 W. Algonquin Road.
"We have always had our kids paint pottery and just really enjoyed it," she said. "We enjoy the Algonquin community and decided we would provide something fun for the community."
People who want to paint pottery can just walk into the business at any time and pick out the piece they want to create. Nieto said the price for the entire visit is listed on the bottom of each piece.
That price includes the blank piece, paint, brushes, any tools you might need and more. Employees can help you pick out colors and give you tutorials or ideas on things you might want to try, or you can do it all on your own.
Once you've decorated your masterpiece, it will be glazed and fired and you can pick it up one week later.
"The price is all inclusive. There are no hidden costs or sitting or studio fees," Nieto said. "It is affordable."
She added that there are a variety of pieces to choose from in the shop, and many are proving to be a hit with new customers.
During the business's soft opening last week, many families stopped by to give Fox Valley Pottery a try. That weekend, they sold out of their dragon banks because they were so popular, Nieto said.
"Who knew?" she said.
In addition to dragon banks, Fox Valley Pottery has many other animals you can paint, as well as plates, mugs, Mason jars, beer steins, vintage automobiles and pickup trucks, Buddhas and more.
"We have some pretty unique pieces that I haven't seen in other pottery shops," she said. "We have something for everybody. Girls' nights, grown-ups, children and even men."
Nieto said she is hoping the business will add something fun for people to do in the area. It's a great spot for people to go for a girls night out, or to host a birthday party, she said.
To the south in Geneva along the Randall Road corridor, Color Me Mine offers a similar experience. There also is a Color Me Mine in downtown Crystal Lake to the north.
However, those are the closest to the Algonquin spot, and Nieto said she thought this would be a great addition to this end of the Randall Road corridor. She also feels the business will draw customers from all up and down the corridor who are looking for affordable fun.
With the opening of the new Code Ninjas store and Kinderland in the same strip mall where Fox Valley Pottery is, Nieto said she and her husband thought this would be the perfect location.
"We scoped out this location on Randall Road and thought it was a good location and a good demographic," she said. "We hope people will come in and enjoy their time, bring their friends and family."
Fox Valley Pottery will be hosting summer camps for kids, adding pinch pot clay classes and more. Eventually, she said, they also hope to add glass fusing to their offerings.
The business will be running many specials and events as they get more established in the community.
As part of their opening, in February and March they will be offering a 10-percent introductory discount to everyone.
However, she said, they are veteran-owned and always will offer a discount to veterans.
Fox Valley Pottery is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, and is closed Mondays.
For information on the business, call (224) 241-8654.
• Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.