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HOTplate to be under new ownership

Community members visit HOTplate on a winter night. HOTplate will be under new ownership soon, with Melissa Sprouse of Marquette purchasing the business. (Photo courtesy of HOTplate)

MARQUETTE — HOTplate, Marquette’s paint-your-own-pottery business, will be under new ownership soon, with the sale of HOTplate expected to be finalized early this month.

Melissa Sprouse, who will be the new owner of HOTplate, was excited to learn the business was being sold when she saw a post on Facebook.

“Sue (Kensington) posted she was looking to sell back in late October, so we’ve been talking ever since and she’s shown me the ropes (of running the business),” Sprouse said.“(I’ve) been coming in and seeing how it works day-to-day, coming in every day learning the ropes.”

Sprouse is an Upper Peninsula native who has resided in Marquette since 2006. She graduated from Calumet High School and went on to attend Northern Michigan University, receiving a bachelor’s of fine arts degree in ceramics, followed by a master’s of public administration degree.

She is excited for the opportunity to use her ceramics degree in the U.P. and looks forward to applying her training to HOTplate’s business operations.

When asked if HOTplate would undergo changes or remain largely the same under her ownership, Sprouse said “yes and no.”

“We’ll definitely keep the paint-your-own pottery aspect … (it’s) a great thing that people like to come in and do,” she said.

Sprouse explained HOTplate will expand its classes to offer more techniques, including hand-building ceramics with clay and more painting classes.

“It’s something that people had asked about. I know there are people interested in doing it,” Sprouse said of the new hand-building classes.

In addition to the new courses, HOTplate will be collaborating with a number of other businesses for events in coming weeks, Sprouse said.

On Feb. 10, the Ore Dock Brewing Company in Marquette will host “Date Night with HOTplate” from 6 to 8 p.m. Attendees can chose a stemless wine glass or beer stein to paint at the event. An Ore Dock beer and a taco from Dia de los Tacos are included in the ticket price.

On Feb. 13, HOTplate will hold “Paint Galentine’s Day” in the wine cellar of Marquette’s Zephyr Bar. Attendees can paint their own ceramic wine vessel while enjoying the company of friends, sipping wine and snacking on appetizers. A glass of wine and a round of appetizers are included in the ticket price.

Sprouse also mentioned HOTplate will open its doors to host a U.P. 200 Warm-Up Party on Feb. 16. Local band Strung Together will play at the event. Hot chocolate and coffee will be offered and no purchase is necessary.

Cecilia Brown can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. Her email address is cbrown@miningjournal.net.

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