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Chattanooga: Paint-own-pottery shop closing on Hixson after dozen years

By: Amy Williams
(Contact)

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Carlene Koski

Lora Trotter took her daughter Hayley to Fire It Up pottery for the first time when she was 2.

Her daughter is now 8 and in the third grade, but the salad plate bearing her tiny hand prints is still displayed in the family’s living room.

“She makes me stuff for every holiday, so every holiday I bring out the stuff that she’s made over the years,” Mrs. Trotter said. “To me they are just priceless artwork.”

Staff Photo by Tim Barber
Fire It Up Pottery owner Carlene Koski, center, assists sisters Jessica, left, and Gracie Jack, ages 13 and 7, respectively, as they paint pottery pieces.

After almost 12 years on Hixson Pike in North Chattanooga, the paint-your-own pottery studio Fire It Up is closing. Owner Carlene Koski decided to carry on with the parties-to-go part of the business, but the doors to the studio will open for the last time Saturday.

“It’s been a little bit slower than it normally has, especially from when I first opened,” Ms. Koski said. “And I’m not getting as many birthdays as I had normally.”

The building that housed the business also is available for lease.

The long-time customer bought the store six years ago from Elizabeth Wright, who had started the shop.

Ms Koski said Fire It Up became something of a creative outlet for her and helped her develop as an artist.

“I discovered my artistic talent — that I didn’t know I had,” she said, laughing as she described her very first attempts at painting.

Ms. Koski plans to work as in-house artist for Paint the Town Pottery and Gifts in Dayton, Tenn. Jennifer Beam, who for six years worked at Fire It Up part-time, opened Paint the Town in November.

“She’s been really nice to let me come work for her,” Ms. Koski said.

Betty Hubbs owns Catering Co. on Hixson Pike next to Fire It Up. Her business has been in the area for the past 13 years, and she said that rents in the area have risen.

“It’s a good location for a small business,” she said.

Mrs. Hubbs’ 6-month-old granddaughter, Micah, visited the store this weekend to get her footprints painted onto a plate.

She said Fire It Up has done a lot to help customers commemorate holidays and other special events such as Mother’s Day.

Even the plate Mrs. Trotter’s daughter Hayley made for her as a Mother’s Day gift sits among other pieces such as a spider, a butterfly and a dragonfly.

“It’s a fun place, and Carlene is amazing,” Mrs. Trotter said. “She helps the kids. I am going to miss her.”

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