The Pottery Shack was the site of...

The Pottery Shack was the site of one of several large pottery

factories that flourished during the war years in Laguna Beach. It is

the only one remaining, which makes it an important landmark,

according to the city’s Historic Inventory.

Additions and alterations throughout the 69-year history of the

site were deemed in keeping with the eclectic architectural theme and

appeal of board and batten beach cottages, remnants of which remain.

Until coats of green paint were applied several years ago, the

ramshackle buildings were natural or stained dark wood.

Roy and Van Childs and their wives opened the business at 1212

South Coast Highway in 1936 with $80 worth of pots and vases

displayed on second-hand shelves and third-hand tables. Before that,

the site was occupied by a private home and at one time by the

Yum-Yum Tea Room.

The Childs’ sold the property to Pier One in 1972 and it later

passed into private hands.

Most recently Susan Welton sold the property to Hanauer.

She said that of all the offers made to her for the property, only

Hanauer’s plan would keep the spirit and character of the Pottery

Shack alive.

The property is composed of 15 separate parcels, with frontage on

South Coast Highway , Brooks and Glenneyre streets, for an estimated

total of 37,500 square feet. The entire site is E-rated, the highest

inventory rating the city confers, but was not registered until

Hanauer bought the property.

The Pottery Shack ranks with the Hotel Laguna, the Eschback

Building on Forest Avenue, the Life Guard Tower, Peppertree Land

and St. Francis By the Sea American Catholic Church as the most

historically significant commercial buildings in town.