Westmoreland County doctor trades in his scrubs for potter's wheel

It’s not that Dr. Francis DeFabo didn’t love medicine — it’s just that he loved making pottery more.

The Unity resident retired in November from his gynecology practice with Athena Women’s Care in South Greensburg. On May 26, he opened fdp studio shop in Pleasant Unity.

The shop at 2082 Route 130 is a joint venture between the doctor and his wife, Lynn.

“It’s a fun project for the two of us to do together,” he said.

While he makes the pottery, she tends the shop and sources compatible gift and home decor items to sell with it.

There are placemats and food items to complement the tableware, candles for the candlesticks, plants for the pots and coffees and teas for the mugs.

“We try to buy from local artisans whenever we can,” Lynn said. “We like the idea of small businesses helping each other.”

Becky Goltz, who worked for 22 years at the reception desk in DeFabo’s medical practice, is co-managing the shop.

DeFabo’s obsession with clay and kiln started about a decade ago. After giving up the obstetrics part of his practice, he went looking for a hobby to fill some free time.

One pottery class later, he was hooked. From his garage studio, he even made 800 tableware pieces for his daughter’s 2017 wedding reception — which guests were welcome to take home afterward.

With the new studio, the DeFabos’ car can go back into the garage.

“I outgrew the garage, so I needed to find a little bigger space,” said Francis, who previously was selling his work at area art centers and artist markets and online.

The original idea was just to find a new studio, but the idea of a retail store took hold when the DeFabos found the brick building in Pleasant Unity.

Not having to lug pottery from show to show seemed appealing.

“Frankly, this is a little farther from our house than we wanted and a little more space than I needed, but we just loved this building,” Francis said.

The previous owners, Ed and Suzie Saxton, had operated it for many years as the Country Cafe. Built in the late 1940s, it originally housed the F.J. Opiela Self Service Market.

At various times, the building also housed a florist, a screen door manufacturer and a video store. In a full-circle twist, a business called Gardner’s pottery also occupied the land the early 1900s.

The Saxtons took good care of the building, Francis said, but it needed some updates.

Carpet was removed to reveal the original oak floors, which were refinished. Wood paneling was replaced with beadboard, and the walls were painted white.

Drury Cabinetry of Unity installed custom-built shelving.

The drop ceiling was removed to expose the rafters — along with a number of original hanging globe lights that were in surprisingly good shape. The red brick exterior was painted off-white.

The basement will give the doctor ample studio space, along with a view of the surrounding rolling hills.

The potter took charge of the shop’s interior design, Lynn said.

“He has the artistic eye,” she said. “I enjoy shopping, so I was the buyer.”

Current hours at fdp studio shop are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

A grand opening with live music, vendors and product sampling is planned for July 3o.

“This has turned into a really great experience, a second career,” Francis said. “I was not displeased with medicine, I just loved the pottery so much.”

For information, call 724-423-2900 or visit fdpstudioshop.com.