Apr 7, 2009

Lanesboro pottery shop will help you get creativeBy Laura GossmanNews.PostBulletin.com

Lanesboro — Potiche Pottery and Gifts, newly opened in Lanesboro, is no run-of-the-mill gift shop.

The store, owned by Barb Johnson of St. Charles, gives customers the chance to create their own gifts if they wish.

People can buy a piece of bisque ware pottery, paint it and then have Johnson glaze it and fire it in a kiln on site.

“This is nothing I’ve done hard-core in the past, so it will be a learning experience,” Johnson said. “I think it will be a fun atmosphere.”

Johnson and her husband, Collin, decided to lease the building, which was formerly known as Grandma’s Garden.

Johnson has been working in retail for the last 20 years, first at New York & Company at the Apache Mall in Rochester and more recently as a bridal consultant at Mestad’s Bridal and Formal Wear.

“I’ve always wanted to own a gift shop,” Johnson said.

She first looked for rental space in St. Charles, but was led to Lanesboro when she saw the space for rent during a visit to the bike trail.

She has two children, ages 7 and 10, and she’s hoping that owning a business will allow more flexibility.

“My kids can be a part of this,” Johnson said. “There will be things for them to do right here.”

She’s always been a fan of gift shops and home decor, but she wanted something that would make her store stand out.

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