From Shack to Place

Contest produces a new name for complex on Pottery Shack site.A new name has been chosen for the new complex on the former Pottery Shack property: the Old Pottery Place.

Bette Anderson of Laguna Beach won the contest to rename the historic retail complex, which is under redevelopment. The former owners of the site declined to permit the new owner to use of the Pottery Shack name.

A contest to name the center was announced late last year by the owner, Brooks Street LLC, and nearly 450 different names were submitted in over 1,000 entries, spokeswoman Leslie Cunningham said.

A committee was assembled to review them and make recommendations to Brooks Street principal Joe Hanauer. The group, chosen for their community leadership and familiarity with the project, included Anne Johnson, Jon Madison, Morris Skenderian and Ora Sterling who, between them, serve on the planning commission, beautification council and heritage committee.

Some of the names brought a smile to the faces of the committee members, Cunningham said.