THIENSVILLE — In the heart of Thiensville, a unique small business has captured the community’s heart and earned the title of OED’s Small Business of the Year. glaze, a paint-your-own pottery studio, combines the joy of art with the delight of ice cream and has become a beloved local treasure.
The story of glaze began quite by accident. The founders, Phil and Kristina Eckert, were inspired by a visit to a similar studio in Fort Atkinson. After seeing this, they decided to bring this experience to their community.
Starting in the back of the building that is now the The Stilt House in Cedarburg, the business quickly outgrew its humble beginnings. The first employee, Kari Slater, has remained an extremely integral part of the business ever since.
“We could not have done what we did without her,” Kristina Eckert said. “Kari brings so much to the table as a custom artist and has amazing customer service skills. She does the majority of the handwriting on pieces seen throughout the studio.”
Over the years, glaze has moved locations twice, finally settling into its current home on Green Bay Road in Thiensville 14 years ago. The business has expanded its offerings to include glass fusing and ice cream, but its primary focus remains on fired arts, thanks to its unique kiln capabilities. This growth has allowed the business to serve a wider audience while still maintaining its core values and community focus.
One of the hallmarks of glaze is its commitment to training young employees. The business emphasizes teaching a variety of skills, from customer service to money handling, and empowers employees with significant responsibility and decision-making opportunities.
“We give them a lot of responsibility and therefore the ability to make decisions based upon the circumstances that they’re in at that moment because they’re all different,” Kristina Eckert said. “I feel like we’ve done a really good job sending people on their way off to college, or whatever their next opportunity may be.”
This approach not only benefits business but has also helped young people develop valuable life skills.
The business owners are deeply involved in the local community, participating in events and serving on boards such as the Village Board where Kristina Eckert serves as a trustee, the Downtown Thiensville Business Association and the Mequon-Thiensville Community Foundation.
The couple also engage with local schools, offering projects and activities that enrich the community and help raise money for nonprofits.
Like many businesses, glaze faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. They offered their pottery to-go kits, which allowed them to continue serving their customers while adhering to safety guidelines.
“We went from having the fear of what in the world’s going to happen to us to literally being busier,” Phil Eckert said. “There were times when you look out in the parking lot and it was like a drive through of people just in and out, in and out!”
They believe in maintaining personal connections within the community and their focus is on the value of relationships and the impact they have over expansion. This philosophy has earned them various awards over the years, providing motivation and rejuvenation to continue their work.
Receiving the Small Business of the Year award is a testament to glaze’s dedication to Thiensville and their core values. The business remains committed to providing a wholesome, family-oriented environment where creativity and community spirit thrive, the Eckerts said.
