Fairhaven landmark to close
The Howells recently announced they are having a retirement closing sale for Mud In Your Eye Pottery. They plan to close the business by Aug. 15 and move to Mexico, where Frank plans to open a small teaching studio.
The Howells opened Mud In Your Eye in 1971 in Los Gatos, Calif., before eventually moving it to Harris Avenue in Fairhaven during Ski to Sea weekend in 1996. Cate Howell believes it is the largest store of U.S.-made stoneware and porcelain pottery on the West Coast, with 200 different products and thousands of items on the shelves. They currently have 75 different artists bringing in products, and the Howells have worked with more than 500 artists over the years. The store also has a 600- square-foot studio where many of the products are made.
Mud In Your Eye Pottery is credited with helping rejuvenate the Fairhaven shopping district. When it opened at the west side of Fairhaven 12 years ago, that was an empty part of town that didn’t draw many people. Across the street, where Harris Square sits today, was an empty field.
The Howells have tried to sell the business for several years but without success. Cate Howell said they had trouble finding the right owner: Those with a strong art background didn’t want to devote the time required toward the retail side, while those with more of a business background were intimidated by the idea of selecting work that would sell.
Still, it’s been hard on longtime customers. On Thursday morning a steady stream of them came in to give Cate Howell a hug, asking about her plans.
As for making a mark on Fairhaven, Howell said they’ve been pleased with how things have turned out.
Tags: cate