If you’ve driven down North College Avenue, you’ve probably noticed a large building with “Potter’s House” in bold red lettering. What may appear as a thrift store offering everything from clothing to furniture is part of a much larger mission. When you peek behind the curtain, this nonprofit organization has created a mission of life change, unity, and impact reverberating through Northwest Arkansas and beyond.
For over 20 years, Potter’s House has been working to build a different picture of community by providing space for all kinds of people to gather on a more intentional level. The vision of Potter’s House began with two Junior High Sweethearts, Shawn and Anita Schwartzman, who first met at Woodland Jr. High in Fayetteville. As they dove deeper into their community, they realized the power of diverse relationships to impact the city. What started as a ragtag group has since formed into small groups, after-school tutoring, a part-time pre-K, and more. Around 10 years ago, an involved community member named Alex Stewart threw out the idea for Potter’s House to start a thrift store, believing it would financially support the Potter’s House mission. This was a game changer, and has now grown into 3 locations in Fayetteville, Springdale, and Siloam Springs. The thrift team is comprised of volunteers and around 130 employees.
The values Potter’s House is founded upon include: Relationships First, Dignity & Value, Holistic Health, Unity Through Cultural Diversity, and Jesus at the Center. These are not merely aspirational buzzwords, but principles that describe who they are and how they work, day in and day out. Relationships are the pinnacle of everything. Without true care for the individuals involved in the programs, they would cease to exist. Everyone is treated with dignity and value, never defined by mistakes or misfortune, only uplifted for who they are and the character they uphold. Wellbeing is examined holistically from a mental, physical, and spiritual lens, and they aspire to be involved in strengthening each of these areas. There is beauty in cultural differences, and they lean into this by celebrating diversity. Jesus sits at the center of it all, and they credit everything they have built by mimicking his character.
Another remarkable initiative Potter's House has been developing since acquiring the old Jefferson Elementary School building in February 2023 is called “Jefferson Renewed.” This project seeks to honor the building’s history while looking forward to the future. Jefferson has been a core place of education and community in South Fayetteville since 1930. With the size and location of this property, it makes an excellent hub for Potter’s House to host their many programs and expand their support services of legal and social work. The Potter's House team has been investigating how to revamp the building, in the best way possible. Shawn Schwartzman, Founder and President states, “We don’t think we’re doing a new thing here. We believe the future of this building will meld education, community, and family through what it offers.” Their ideas include expanding the preschool from part-time to full-time, creating a community outdoor space with a playground, renovating the cafeteria into a community space, and providing legal services, medical social workers, after-school tutoring, and a warming shelter when it gets below 15 degrees. If this project sparks your curiosity, tours are available to see the space in person.
When asked about the life changes he’s witnessed as a result of Potter's House, Shawn shares, “Those who are financially well-off and choose to get involved are deeply impacted by their participation, individuals working at the thrift store are often able to move onto better job opportunities, and volunteer students gain valuable lessons about Jesus and how to make a positive impact in their world.” Through the many programs, accessible social workers, small groups, or thrift stores, Potter’s House provides to the community in a multitude of ways. Whether you feel called to donate financially towards the Jefferson Renewed project, donate physical items to the thrift store, or donate your time to one of the programs, they invite you to join the mission to better our community.
For more information on how to get involved or to tour the Jefferson building, check out https://www.phnwa.com/
"We exist to embrace the power of diverse relationships to connect and change our community."