Name: Pottery Bayou
Address: 210 S. Washington St., Naperville
Phone/website: 630-718-9823; www.potterybayoustudio.com
Manager: Joumana Pavkov, 60, of Aurora
Years in business: 16 at its current location, more than 30 total.
What does your business do? “People paint the pottery. We glaze and fire it,” Pavkov said.
Who comes in here? “Birthday parties. Individuals who walk in. Anniversaries. Whatever. Any kind of party. Reservations are recommended for parties of five or more. Each table has room for four.”
What’s the price? “It’s a $10 fee to glaze and fire one piece. Plus whatever the piece costs. Most are $10, some go up to $200.”
Why is it called Pottery Bayou? “We used to be by the river, before the hotel was built. It’s bayou, by the water.”
Why do people come here? “They find it so relaxing. I had a customer yesterday, she spent four hours here. She did a mushroom box. She said, ‘It’s relaxing and I enjoy it.’ That makes me feel happy. Come, sit, relax, bring your own drink and you’re good to go.”
Any favorite stories? “I have people who come in here with their grandchildren. There’s a family that does a family reunion every year. Grandpa and Grandma, the kids and the grandkids. Fifteen to 17 people. That’s their tradition.”
Why do you work here? “I’m here because I love art. I was lucky. My brother, he used to own the store behind. During COVID-19, the (former owner) wanted to sell the business and asked him if he knew anyone. He said, ‘I’ll buy the business and I will have my sister run the store.’ … We are from Lebanon. I’ve been here 26 years. I love the opportunities here. … Lebanon is beautiful. Green and water and snow at the same time. I get back every year.”
Were you into pottery before? “No. I used to be a travel agent. Oh, too much stress.”
What happens when a new person walks in? “We welcome you and then we explain how it works. You pick your piece, have your seat, we give you two hours to work on it. You can come back to finish it. It’s dishwasher safe.”
Which pottery is popular? “In the summer, mushrooms. It depends. … All year selling Christmas. We sell more Christmas pottery in January than in December. I don’t know why. … Figurines are popular. … We’ll have a Day of the Dead celebration here on the 27th of September. We give them tips, directions.”
How did you survive the Washington Street repairs? “It was hard. A lot of people thought we were closed.”
Does the artistic talent surprise you? “Oh, yes. … One couple painted plates for their wedding anniversary. … It’s not only for kids. Our customers are probably 75% adults.”
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How long does it take after painting? “Between one and two weeks. We apply the clear glaze. We dip it. It has to dry. And then we fire it in the kiln. Eight hours for heat. The temperature is over 1,800 degrees. Then it needs time to cool, 24 to 48 hours.”
Do you like your job? “I love my job. (You get to) meet people, be social with them, and have fun. Relaxing at the same time. No stress. … Forget their troubles. That’s what they want.”
Anything you don’t like? “Property taxes. The rent is too much too.”
Do you have regulars? “Yes. Some come in every two or three months.”
What are your hours? “We are open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.”
Is this location good for business? “Yes. You go to a restaurant (downtown) and they say you have to come back in a couple hours. They need something to do. They will stop here and go back to their dinner.”
What do customers say? “We’ve been here two or three times. … We’re spending the day together because she’s going off to kindergarten soon. We’ve having a mommy and daughter day,” said Tina Fischer, 41, of Downers Grove, who was there on Aug. 19 with daughter Lucy.
Lucy, 5, was busy painting a kitten pink. She nodded when asked if she was having fun.
Jennifer Glazer, 49, of Naperville, is a frequent flier: “It’s a nice environment. I can spend time with my family. We came here for my daughter’s birthday with my other daughter. It’s quality time together and they have something they can hold onto and remember.”
What’s your advice for anyone starting a business? “Have the right location. When you have the right location, you have the right people. Ninety percent here are walk-ins.”
Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun. If you know of a business you’d like to see profiled in Down to Business, contact him at [email protected].