New Williamsburg Pottery Breaks Ground

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Pottery President Kim Maloney, Governor Bob McDonnell, South Korean Consul General Soon Gu Yoon and others involved in the project break ground on the new Pottery Friday.

Executive Vice President of the Williamsburg Pottery Peter Kao told the assembled crowd that the Williamsburg Pottery was created at the very site of Friday's groundbreaking over 70 years ago by Jimmy Maloney, who had $1,000 with which to start his business selling 18th-century salt glaze pottery, and later china and glassware.

The new plan is for a Dutch-inspired European Market with nearly 147,000 square feet of retail space spread over 19 acres, which will feature current garden nursery items, ceramics, custom framing, floral arrangements and imported goods along with a wider selection of goods, a café and deli, fountains, gardens and a stage for performances.

McDonnell said, “I look at this as a statewide and regional asset,” noting the Williamsburg Pottery has drawn significant numbers of visitors over the decades and will draw more in its “next phase of life.”

McDonnell called President Kim Maloney, who is Jimmy Maloney’s widow, a longtime friend of his as well as a visionary, and he praised the project that's expected to “grow and sustain 500 jobs… with over 160,000 square-feet of retail space and a beautiful motif that will add to the colonial flair of this area.”

The project will create new opportunities and jobs, he said, and will support “entrepreneurial spirit.” McDonnell said he couldn’t wait to come for the grand opening in 2012 and do some shopping.

Yoon said he came to Williamsburg with fond memories of a previous visit in the 1990s. He said the Pottery was ready “to undergo a remarkable facelift… which will attract visitors,” and is on the way to becoming “the number one attraction in Virginia.”

“I truly believe [this project] is an astounding achievement and astounding effort,” he said, which will play a constructive role in reaching out to people in the community, including Koreans.

Maloney stressed that the new Pottery, which is slated to open on the 100th anniversary of her late husband’s birthday in April 2012, will continue to offer the same variety, quality and low prices the Pottery has been know for, along with excellent hospitality and customer service.

Gil Granger, who owns several properties in Williamsburg and across Hampton Roads and who is best known for his more than 10 years as Williamsburg City Council member and his year as mayor, worked as executive advisor to the original Williamsburg Pottery for 35 years.

Granger attended Friday’s groundbreaking and told WYDaily he thought the new design was very attractive, and that the Pottery has “come a long way” since Jimmy Maloney first began his enterprise.

Others in attendance Friday included James City County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Kennedy and his fellow Board Member Mary Jones, York County Board of Supervisors Chairman Don Wiggins and his fellow Board Member Sheila Noll, Williamsburg Mayor Clyde Haulman, State Sen. Tommy Norment, State Del. Brenda Pogge and others.

Construction will bring together more than 30 companies from James City County, York County and the Greater Williamsburg area, including Guernsey-Tingle Architects, general contractor Henderson, Inc. and AES Consulting Engineers.

The Pottery will remain open during the construction process.