Just Add Paint closes in Wasilla after nearly a decade in business

Pottery studio Just Add Paint closed its doors on October 20 after serving the Mat-Su Valley for nearly 10 years. Rising property costs were the cause, according to owner Noelle Umbarger.

“I was not making any money,” Umbarger said. “The whole reason I kept it open was because I know how many families in the Valley enjoy art and enjoy doing it and enjoyed visiting my studio.”

Umbarger hired a studio manager five years ago to operate the store. All of the profit she was making at the time went towards keeping her manager on.

“My husband and I talked about it then, that as long as it didn't cost us any money it could stay open,” Umbarger said. “And up until this past year, it hadn't.”

The increase in rent and related services prevented Umbarger from being able to keep her lease. She ultimately had to close her doors.

“With just increased costs… the margins weren't there for me to stay in business,” Umbarger said.

Umbarger has aspirations for opening a new, smaller studio in the future. She acknowledged a lack of activities in the Valley and wants to provide a creative option for the youth.

“There's not enough for kids to do in the Valley,” Umbarger said. “Jumping on a trampoline and playing video games are always fun every once in a while, but I've always believed that the kids need art in their lives, and I feel like it's being lost in our schools. They're not doing as much as they used to, and I hate to see it go away.”