Morris and James set to close after half a century of pottery sales
Photo:
Supplied
An iconic Matakana ceramics business has made the decision to close its doors after 47 years.
For nearly five decades, Morris and James pottery has graced gardens and living rooms across the country, all made on site in its north Auckland base of Matakana.
But the business is set to close, citing the current economic crisis as a major factor.
Founded in 1977 by Anthony Morris and Sue James, the designs are well known for their bold colours and distinctive designs.
Kieran Rice is among those who bought the business in 2009, and is the managing director at Morris and James Matakana.
He told
Checkpoint
the decision was a difficult one for both staff and customers.
"It was very, very hard and quite sad... it was a very difficult day when we talked to the staff about it."
He said the support from the community had poured in today, following the announcement they were set to close.
"People are supportive. We've got great customers and and great staff and they sort of understand the situation, and say we've been a cornerstone of the Matakana tourism for a long time."
Rice said that he had never experienced tougher times when operating a business, with spending down for most shoppers.
"It's definitely been difficult and these are discretionary spends so you know people have priorities.
"People still support us and buy our stuff. But it's just that little bit harder than it had has been in the past."
Morris and James Pottery will be closing its doors after 47 years.
Photo:
Supplied
A number of reasons had contributed to the decision to close. Rice said these included a lack of spending, increasing costs and a need to update equipment.
"We're at the stage now where we need to start thinking about investing in new kilns or upgrading kilns... and those are big investment decisions with long paybacks.
"So some of those things also have been difficult decisions for us to go one way or the other."
There is not yet a closure date for the business, with the team wanting to use up the remaining clay before closing the doors.
"We're carrying on making for probably another two months and probably manufacturing for another three months by the time we're finished glazing."
In that time, he hoped an investor may pop up to potentially save the business.
"We're crossing our fingers a bit too... [that] an angel investor might turn up that wants to buy things."
Rice said the business will vacate their current premises once they close the doors, and the owners hope to open it up as a space for creatives.
Before the closure, the team is focusing on creating orders, and are making special items for customers who request it.
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