Resident returns home, starts business
Jill French was just looking for a place to make a present for her grandson when she stumbled on something more – a business plan.
The former South Lyon resident was living in Florida at the time, and visited a combination coffee shop/pottery painting shop to make the gift. She immediately fell in love with the place and asked her son, Chad Ortwine, “Wouldn’t something like this be awesome in South Lyon?” He responded with a yes, and French immediately got on the phone to see if she could make it happen.
She eventually connected with Lee Ann Tolinski, owner of the Gallery Cafe, and pitched her idea. Tolinski, who is best friends with French’s sister Lynn, thought it would be a great idea, and when French moved back to Michigan in June, planning began.
“I have seen this concept before and it fits well together,” Tolinski said. “People tend to sit in a pottery shop for a couple of hours at a time, and it is a perfect match for people who want to grab a cup of coffee or lunch.”
French’s business is called Glazy Days and features numerous pieces of pottery ready for customers to paint. They can pick items off the shelves or out of catalogs, and sit down and get to work. Once a person is done with their piece, French puts the finishing touches on it and it’s available to the customer in about five days.
The store, which French said would have never happened without help from her family, will be run out of the back of the Gallery Cafe on the corner of Lake and Lafayette Streets.
“Anything you can think of you can paint,” French said. “All the paints are on the table and people can spend all the time they need to create a masterpiece.”
She said the business is perfect for birthday parties, teen and ladies nights and families. Combining the business with the Gallery Cafe also was a no-brainer as both Tolinski and French expect to benefit.
