Visiting with Petticoat Junction
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- Last Updated: Tuesday, 19 March 2019 20:24
Jon Dean spent a few minutes with Kim Cobb Smith, owner of Petticoat Junction Ceramics & Gifts in Greenville, TX.
Jon: "Thanks for letting me spotlight your studio.... tell us a little history about your business."
Kim: "About two years ago, we rented a small portion of the Historic Katy Train Depot to use for personal crafting and to sell a small quantity of ceramic greenware items. Two weeks before we opened, we became the proud renters of the entire building! We had NO CLUE as to what we were going to do to completely fill this large building with items in time for our opening. This is when Petticoat Junction was 'born.' "
"Through closings of other shops, we accumulated three pouring tables, a slip mixing tank, shelving, kilns, display racks and more. We decided to become a traditional/contemporary store which also sells other gifts items such as jewelry, dips, pure extracts, and other specialty Texas items. We added paints, tools, brushes and other ceramic items to our line and we were in business!"
"We are now celebrating our 3rd year in business and draw enthusiastic patrons from a radius of approximately 75 miles."
Jon: "How has carrying the Mayco product line affected your business?"
Kim: "Many of our customers have told us, 'I used to do ceramics about 10 or 20 years ago', so they were familiar with the name. They are amazed at the finished products we have on display and want to know HOW it was possible to complete them with glazes. We provide an overview of the progress made in the industry and how endless the possibilities are now using Mayco products. This creates a renewed interest and it grows from there."
"Mayco makes completing any project easy. The ability to layer over the Foundations line while keeping intricate designs intact have not only made the painting process faster and easier, but it has also eliminated the need to clear glaze."
Jon: "What are the benefits you see from Mayco compared to other brands?"
Kim: "The ceramic/pottery industry is Mayco's top priority. Other competitors have branched out and divide their efforts between fabric painting and other crafty items or they offer only high-fire glazes. Mayco offers everything a ceramic artist needs to complete low AND high fire items. They do not divert their attention to other product lines and it shows in their quality. They are innovative, creative, informative, service driven, reliable and the product is easy to use."
"New colors and products are on the market ahead of the competition. Instructors and other employees are eager and enjoy helping you. They listen to suggestions for new items and entertain new ideas. They provide tips on improving our studios, keep up with the trends and know what our customers want. They offer wonderful classes to keep us up to date on new ideas and the different uses/combinations of their product line. Mayco doesn't treat you like a customer, they treat you like family!"
Jon: "What Mayco bisque shapes do well in your shop?"
Kim: "Functional and home decor lines are the most popular for us.
Jon: "What is the one thing that Petticoat Junction does or provides that makes it unique?"
Kim: "We're not a contemporary shop OR your 'grandmothers ceramic shop'! We are a morph between the two that also offers other types of gifts to our non-ceramic customers. We love what we do and it shows! Our patrons are not just our customers - they're our friends! When they come to Petticoat Junction, they feel like they have come home."
Jon: "Have Mayco's educational events been beneficial to your business?"
Kim: "Extremely so. We have hosted one event in our shop presented by Mayco instructors. Everyone loved it and are looking forward to the next one. We have attended several Mayco Pottery Camps and have been amazed at the new ideas and techniques and the sense of unity all of the shops feel towards each other after each class. Our customers are always eagerly awaiting our return from the camps so we can teach them the new techniques we have learned!"
"We are currently teaching some beautiful techniques Tim and Jon created. A class of 12 attended this weekend and had a fantastic time. As they left, they asked when the next one will be."
Jon: "What's your favorite Mayco product?"
Kim: "I have no specific favorite, it's all functional and fantastic. I sincerely endorse and recommend Mayco. Petticoat Junction is located in the historic Katy Train Depot, a 115 year-old-building. We have many visitors who come in wanting to learn about the history of the building only, yet we get to introduce them to ceramics in the process. We are one of a few existing full-service ceramic shops in Texas. We not only make our own slip and pour molds, but we have paint, brushes, bisque, greenware and other ceramic tools for sale. We are also considered a contemporary store as customers can come in and use our tools, brushes, and paints for a fee instead of having to purchase their own. We provide personalized attention to everyone and customers become friends, not just someone passing through a business."