All Fired Up Named February Small Business of the Month

Imagine sitting down, “face-to-face, no texting, and talking while creating something together.” That’s what’s offered at All Fired Up, a paint-your-own pottery art studio at 308 E. State St. in Wabash Landing (www.allfiredupwestlafayette.com, 743-7800), says Annie Hanas, who has owned the business with her husband, Sean Hanas, for four years.

 

“Everything is getting so electronic these days. Here, people can put their phones down, sit down and talk while they paint,” she says.

           
The activity “appeals to individuals looking for some relaxation time and groups that want to have fun bonding,” she says.

           
Greater Lafayette Commerce named All Fired Up the February 2012 Small Business of the Month. The business employs 11 and is open Monday through Saturday, noon to 9 p.m., Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., and also for late-night and other special events.

Hundreds of Items to Choose From

           
Budding artists can pick from an array of items in the shop—“everything from kid pieces, such as princesses, doggies and race cars—to adult items, such as martini glasses, vases, plates and coffee cups,” Hanas says. “We also have a lot of wedding pieces. The variety changes all the time so our regular customers can see new things.”

           
The shop moved the end of January, across the sidewalk. “We’re somewhat hidden,” Hanas says. “We’re between the movie theater and Scotty’s Brewhouse. Our new space has a new look. The floors are painted crazy, we have 20-foot sunflowers on the wall, and everything is bigger and bolder.”

Come Alone, Bring a Group

           
Parties and group events are popular at the business, she says. They can range from birthday parties to office team-building events, bachelorette parties, bridal showers,  scout troop outings and sorority parties.

           
“We offer parties for all different ages and all different reasons to celebrate,” Hanas says. “We make it a really fun experience.” 

           
It’s also a great place for a romantic date, she suggests. “We get a lot of guys who are dragged in, but then they find out it’s fun to do. It’s relaxing.”

           
Painted items are fired in kilns and can usually be picked up in less than a week.

Purdue Graduates Who Moved Back

           
A Lafayette native, Annie met Muncie-born Sean at Purdue University. After graduation, they lived in California, then Chicago.

           
“We spent a lot of time coming back to the games,” she says. “Then we decided to move back. We were ready to raise a family and put down roots.”

           
That was 1998, and Annie took time off work as an engineer to have children. Today, they’re the parents of Max, 13, and twins Joe and Tommy, 8.

           
“I spent time painting here with my kids and girlfriends, and I thought it was a cool idea,” she says of the pottery studio. “I wished I had thought of it.”

           
She ended up mentioning that to the then-owner, found out she was selling, “And it all fell into place.” They bought the business in January 2008.

           
Annie runs the business full-time. Sean spends his weekdays as a manufacturing representative, but lends a hand in the shop on weekends. “He helps out with a lot of backroom work—glazing, loading kilns, and helping with some of the parties.”

           
The business takes a high-profile role in the community, supporting Almost Home Humane Society, American Cancer Society events, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lafayette, Lafayette Transitional Housing, various Purdue activities, 4-H clubs, schools and scout troops.

           
“Part of the reason we moved back here is because of the kind of community this is,” Annie says. “This is a very friendly town, and we’re very connected to this community.”

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The Small Business of the Month is Proudly Sponosred by:

Lafayette Savings Bank