Fired On The Mountain Is A Community-Focused Pottery Studio And Vegetarian Cafe In Lincoln, New Hampshire
By Sarah McCosham|Published April 25, 2024
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
“I accidentally bought the business.” This isn’t something you’d typically hear from a small business owner, but Annette Morrison isn’t your typical small business owner. With two kids going off to college, Morrison decided to invest in some used pottery equipment to be able to teach classes at the wheel. The New Hampshire-based artist turned to Craigslist, where she discovered the aforementioned equipment… and an entire pottery studio. Faced with an offer she “couldn’t refuse,” Morrison took a leap of faith, bought the studio, and opened Fired on the Mountain, a community-focused pottery studio-meets-vegetarian cafe in the mountains of Lincoln, New Hampshire.
Interested to learn about other unique American small businesses? Our Small Business Spotlight series highlights the often-overlooked work of small business owners across the country, from Maine to Southern California.
Nature has long provided inspiration for many a visual artist and poet, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire are certainly a marvelous muse.
So it makes perfect sense that you'd find an art studio nestled in the mountain town of Lincoln, New Hampshire, except that the owner of this pottery studio never set out to actually *own* her own pottery studio.
Several years ago, Annette Morrison found herself grappling with an empty nest, so the New Hampshire-based artist decided to purchase some pottery equipment with plans to indulge her passion and also teach community classes.
She turned to Craigslist, where she quickly found a goldmine of equipment... like, an entire art studio of equipment. "Long story short, Karen [the owner at the time] made it impossible to not buy [the studio]," explains Morrison.
The artist was no stranger to small business proprietorship, however, having owned a salon and other small, home-based businesses when her children were young.
In addition, Morrison's oldest son and his partner were interested in opening a cafe. And this is how Morrison found herself "accidentally" buying "a space that could help us grow the business together."
The business, Fired on the Mountain, was immediately embraced by the community of Lincoln, New Hampshire. But this was no accident; Morrison has been very smart in how she's set up her space.
"We live in a tourist area, so being creative with offerings in busy times and slow times is important," she explains. "The cafe part is [also] unique to this area, being the only vegetarian restaurant for miles, and with a flex of people from all over, it is a true gem for a lot of visitors."
In addition to its onsite cafe (open select days a week), pottery classes, and painting events in the main studio space, Fired on the Mountain has expanded to offer stoneware classes in a renovated shed, and even tai chi.
"We are constantly looking to open our doors for a need that fits our vibe/lifestyle," Morrison says.
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And that vibe? It's warm and welcoming; a place where all art is celebrated and beginners are embraced. This isn't an intimidating art studio by any means: "We welcome our guests with respect and love what we do and providing for the community," says Morrison.
To that end, Morrison hosts monthly free watercolor time for the community to engage in, providing a wonderful opportunity for creatives to convene.
Because at the end of the day, Fired on the Mountain is more than merely an art studio and restaurant; it's a lovely family-run business and true community asset.
"We provide home-school and after school programs at special rates to make art more affordable for local families," says Morrison, who adds that the studio regularly donates gift certificates to youth organizations, schools, Chamber of Commerce events, and fundraisers. "The Cafe side has an ongoing 'pay it forward food' for veterans [and on the] pottery side, I donate all profits from bowls I make when I teach wheel classes to the local food pantry," she adds.
What an inspiration!
Many thanks to owner Annette Morrison of Fired on the Mountain – Pottery and Cafe, for sharing the story of this wonderful small business in New Hampshire. Learn more and support this New Hampshire treasure by visiting the Fired on the Mountain website and Facebook page.
Of course, Fired on the Mountain is one of many amazing businesses in New Hampshire that’s doing great things in the state. If you have another business you’d like to see profiled on Only In New Hampshire, please nominate them for a chance to be featured. And be sure to follow Only In New Hampshire on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the know on the Granite State’s events, restaurants, local businesses, and hidden gems.
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