NEW LONDON, P.E.I. - Suzanne Scott took over her parents well-known Prince Edward Island business Village Pottery last year.
Now, Scott is well on her way to creating a legacy of her own.
“It has been good. I pretty much have been running the business for the last six or seven years. So, it has been a natural progression. We made things official last year.”
The 33-year-old is creative. She is the team captain and event planner for the Etsy Artisans of P.E.I.
Scott’s parents, Ian and Daphne, still work with her at Village pottery.
“My parents are still making pottery, just not as much. They are semi-retired.”
Scott’s new business venture transcends pottery but stands to help the business grow.
The yellow house beside Village Pottery in New London was built in the 1860s. It was originally a bed and breakfast. When Scott’s parents bought the building, they operated it as Potter’s House and rented the space out to tourists on a weekly basis.
When Scott acquired Village Pottery she got the yellow house beside it. She had no idea what she was going to do with it until some observations last year got her thinking.
“We just get a ton of families. Kids and dads, that can be like wrecking balls in a pottery shop.”
When Scott was travelling during the winter she noticed a lot of old homes transformed into cafes and she came up with an idea.
“I saw a business opportunity. In the area, there isn’t a really good option for coffee or ice cream. You have to go to Cavendish or Kensington. I saw how it could complement the pottery business.”
She is turning the yellow building beside Village Pottery into Potter’s Parlour, selling coffee, baked good and ice cream.
Scott sources everything locally. The ice cream is from ADL, the coffee is from Samuel’s in Summerside. She gets baked goods from the community complex and The Mill. Scott sells doughnuts from Doughnuts by Design and cookies from a local maker.
“Everything is in handmade pottery I made myself. All the art on the walls is locally made for the most part,” Scott said.
Potter’s Parlour is having a grand opening July 28 and Scott hopes people will stop out, enjoy a cone and some of the other events happening.
Sneaky Cheats, who does BBQ catering and pop-ups, will also be there.
“They are going to be here just with a limited menu for the day.”
Local musician Nick Doneff is playing from 1-3 p.m. Potter’s Parlour will have ice cream, doughnuts and giant Jenga.
“There are a bunch of things for the family to kind of hang out and enjoy. Hopefully, some come across the parking lot to see Village Pottery as well,” Scott said.
Scott is thankful for the people who have made her business possible, especially her parents, who got her to this point, she said.
“I am really thankful for the many different artists who contribute to the business. I’m thankful for the community that has already shown a lot of support and love. I am excited to see more people discover it every day.”
For more information visit pottersparlour.com.
