Queenston Pottery came alive this weekend with the sound of laughter, clinking cider mugs and the hum of holiday shoppers as it revived its cherished Holiday Sip and Shop Open House.

The open house on Nov. 16, held for the first time in more than a decade, marked a significant milestone for the pottery store in Niagara-on-the-Lake, now co-owned by Lisa Dahl, Eva Mlcak and her son Rick, as it evolves into a multi-generational business.

“It’s been a long cycle of change,” said Dahl. “We’ve really been building on [Mlcak’s] foundation and her 46-year career of being here.”

Visitors were welcomed with hot apple cider, homemade gluten-free cookies and the opportunity to browse and purchase handcrafted pottery created on-site in the pottery studio and woodshop behind the shop.

The day also showcased paintings by featured Prince Edward County encaustic artist Colleen Green, a longtime friend of Mlcak.

Encaustic is a painting technique that uses a hot wax medium mixed with pigments to create an enamel-like finish. In Green’s work, she uses a blend of beeswax, damar crystals and pigments.

“It’s wonderful to be back in Niagara-on-the-Lake,” said Green, who moved out of town in 2000.

She said the open house provided a worthwhile chance to reconnect with those from her past.

“I sent invitations to lots of my old friends and old acquaintances, and they all came to see me,” she said.

Green created several pieces specifically for the open house, showcasing the meticulous encaustic technique.

The tradition’s return comes after a period of transition for the studio. Dahl said the loss of Mlcak’s husband and business partner, Frank, and challenges during the pandemic put a pause on things like the open house.

But with the studio’s revival underway, the co-owners plan to host more events and visiting artists in the future.

“We’re planning to host more guest artists starting this spring,” said Dahl. “People are looking for things to do, and we want to be that place of things to do.”

For Mlcak, seeing the open house return was especially meaningful.

“This is our second show this year, and I hope to carry on this tradition in the future,” she said. “I hope people in the community will be able to enjoy it.”