Charlotte’s only glass act
Plus: The news of the week — Tech outage grounds flights; Cooper in mix for VP?; 975 apartments envisioned in SouthPark; Uptown skyscraper might get demolished; Charlotte Checkers sold
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Jacob Pfeifer blazed a trail in Charlotte’s arts scene when he opened the city’s only hot glass studio in 2018 to share his love of blowing glass with the public.
Hot Glass Alley owner Jacob Pfeifer (pictured in both photos) opens his blowing glass studio to the public on weekends for classes. Sara and Jonathan Kinny (above) went on a date to make matching cocktail tumblers. (Photo by Lindsey Banks)
by Lindsey Banks
On a blazing Saturday afternoon, Jonathan and Sara Kinny stepped into Hot Glass Alley, Charlotte’s sole hot glass studio, for a date that promised more than just a typical movie-and-dinner outing.
Hot Glass Alley, located on Atando Avenue near NoDa, opens its doors to the public on weekends and offers classes for those interested in glassblowing. Jonathan discovered the studio through a Google search for unique date ideas and decided to surprise his wife.
Equipped with protective eye gear, Jonathan and Sara took turns sticking long metal rods, called blowpipes, into the furnace, amazed by the heat set at a staggering 2,100 degrees. Under the guidance of Jacob Pfeifer, a seasoned glassblower and owner of Hot Glass Alley, the couple soon produced a pair of matching cocktail tumblers.
Pfeifer, 36, opened Hot Glass Alley in 2018 with the goal of bringing glassblowing to Charlotte and allowing people to explore the art of working with hot glass.
A timeless art form
Glass blowing dates back thousands of years, said Hannah Strunk, a full-time gaffer (glassblower) at Hot Glass Alley. It was particularly popular among Catholic artisans in Italy.
“A lot of the tools and techniques haven't changed much in 2,000 years,” Strunk said.
For example, a furnace melts glass to make it easy to shape. A blowpipe introduces air into the molten glass to create hollow pieces like cups and vases. Cooling ovens, called annealers, harden the glass at 900 degrees. Pieces typically remain inside for 15 to 18 hours to prevent cracking, Strunk said.
During the week, six gaffers work out of Hot Glass Alley, creating their own pieces for sale. On the weekends, the hot shop opens to the public for classes led by the gaffers.
Glassblowing often requires teamwork, especially for beginners. Strunk assisted Pfeifer in helping Jonathan and Sara craft their tumblers.
“It takes regular practice before you can even make the tiniest shot glass that’s still wobbly on the table and leans,” Strunk said. “It probably takes closer to a year before you actually make anything nice.”
Captivated as a teen
When Pfeifer was 13 years old, he went on a family vacation to Bermuda. While exploring the Royal Naval Dockyard, they stumbled across Dockyard Glassworks, an open-air hot shop. Captivated by the gaffers, Pfeifer asked his parents if he could hang out and watch while they finished shopping. He ended up watching for nearly five hours.
“I remember asking these guys everything under the sun to learn as much as I could while I was sitting there,” he said.
Back in New Jersey, Pfeifer’s father found a local hot glass studio. Pfeifer became an apprentice, working for free for about a year before he was paid and allowed to try glassblowing. He worked there through high school and later attended the Rochester Institute of Technology, graduating in 2010 with a degree in fine arts.
After working in his hometown of Louisville, Ky., and Reading, Pa., Pfeifer decided to expand his reach. He considered several cities before choosing Charlotte, drawn by the city’s lack of a hot glass studio and the enthusiastic support from the city and Chamber of Commerce.
He opened Hot Glass Alley after two years of transforming an old NoDa warehouse into the gallery and 2,000 square foot hot shop it is today. Upon entering, visitors see glass and ceramic pieces for sale in the gallery, created by Hot Glass Alley’s gaffers and other artists.
The hot shop’s open-air design means it can get quite hot in the summer. The ovens for molten glass reach 2,100 degrees, so it can be intense. Pfeifer said he got used to it over time and learned how to take care of himself to avoid dehydration or fainting.
“If you’re in the moment and you got that adrenaline going … you’ll forget, like ‘I need to drink water,’” Pfeifer said. “I’ve had some close calls.”
Though Pfeifer occasionally burns himself, he said no guest has ever been burned. All participants sign a waiver, wear provided protective eyewear and must wear closed-toe shoes. Glassblowing instructors ensure everyone stays safe.
Opening to the public
If Pfeifer hadn’t wandered into the hot glass studio when he was a teenager, he might never have found his life’s calling, he said. That’s why it was always a part of his plan to open to the public.
On weekends, people can sign up for 30-minute sessions to create hot glass objects, from ornaments to drinking glasses to vases. Sessions start at $80 per person, with prices varying by object. A date night option for $180 per couple includes a charcuterie board and wine or beer.
“With the classes, you’re getting people more involved in the community,” Pfeifer said. “The fact that they’re like, ‘Oh, wow, this is super different. We’re not just going to go to the movies.’”
Every third Thursday of the month from 6 to 9 p.m., the studio opens to the public for a free live demonstration. Visitors can watch artists create hot glass and enjoy free refreshments.
In the fall, Hot Glass Alley hosts its annual “Pumpkin Palooza,” featuring a glass pumpkin patch, art demonstrations, food trucks and cider.
Pfeifer and his team’s work is on display across town. He recently unveiled a large installation at the Levine Cancer Institute called the “Seasons of Life.” He has a piece on display outside a NoDa apartment complex on East 36th Street called the “NoDa Beacon,” and he is responsible for a pendant light installation inside the Arts and Science Center in uptown.
“Seasons of Life” was unveiled last month at the Levine Cancer Institute, created and installed by Pfeifer and his Hot Glass Alley team. (Photo courtesy of Jacob Pfeifer)
🔥Interested in taking a class at Hot Glass Alley? Check the schedule and sign up. Here are some tips before you go:
Hydrate: It can get hot in the studio, so drink plenty of water beforehand. The open-air hot shop has fans and occasional breezes to cool you down.
Dress the part: Wear closed-toe shoes, tie back your hair, and choose cotton clothing. Avoid synthetic fabrics near the high temperatures of the furnaces.
Leave electronics behind: Remove smartwatches and consider putting away your phone after taking photos. (My phone showed the “iPhone needs to cool down” message several times.)
Kids: The age minimum for classes is 9 years old.
Get Inspired: Watch an episode or two of the Netflix competition show “Blown Away” to get in the right mindset before your class.
Lindsey Banks is a staff reporter for The Ledger: lindsey@cltledger.com
Today’s supporting sponsor is VIA Health Partners, formerly Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region. New name, same exceptional care for families in 32 counties across North and South Carolina.
This week in Charlotte: RFK Jr. will be on N.C. ballots; N.C. State chancellor to retire; New plan for old hospital debt; Eastland Yards revised
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Education
N.C. State chancellor to retire: (WRAL) N.C. State University Chancellor Randy Woodson announced his retirement Thursday effective at the end of the academic year, after serving since 2010.
Politics
Roy Cooper for VP? As Democrats turn up the pressure on President Biden to drop out of the presidential race, N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper is being viewed as a possible vice presidential pick if Vice President Kamala Harris leads the Democratic ticket. Cooper said the reports are “speculation we do not need.”
RFK Jr. to be on N.C. ballot: (Associated Press) The state board of elections voted to allow independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to appear on N.C. ballots this fall representing the We The People Party.
Local news
Flights grounded during tech outage: (WFAE) Charlotte Douglas International Airport faced longer-than-usual lines and flight delays due to a global technology issue Friday affecting multiple industries.
Sprouts grocery store planned for NoDa: (Axios Charlotte) Arizona-based Sprouts will open a location at the corner of East 36th and North Tryon streets in NoDa in the summer of 2025.
Eastland Yards revised again: (Biz Journal, subscriber-only) The proposed 29-acre sports and recreation complex at Eastland Yards is now estimated to cost $67M, down from earlier projections of $80M to $100M, thanks to cost-cutting measures like reducing the indoor sports center size and scrapping the ice rink.
Business
Uptown skyscraper to be knocked down? (Ledger Commercial Real Estate Whispers 🔒) A new research report by real estate company JLL says there’s a “planned demolition” of 400 South Tryon, an aging, 33-story office tower. Business and political leaders have been grappling with the problem of empty uptown office buildings.
Big housing plans in SouthPark: (Ledger 🔒) Plans for 975 homes in SouthPark: Developer Childress Klein is seeking a rezoning of two parcels on Rexford Road in SouthPark, and site plans call for as many as 975 apartments. The land backs up to $1.5M houses in the Barclay Downs neighborhood.
Park Expo for sale: (Ledger Commercial Real Estate Whispers 🔒) The Park Expo & Conference Center on Independence Boulevard is under contract to be sold and redeveloped.
BofA reports better-than-expected earnings: (CNBC) Charlotte-based Bank of America reported second-quarter earnings of 83 cents per share, which is 3 cents higher than estimated.
Sports
Charlotte Checkers sold: (Biz Journal) The Charlotte Checkers have a new majority owner, Zawyer Sports + Entertainment, which will take a majority interest on Oct. 1. Michael Kahn, the previous owner, will remain the largest minority shareholder.
YouTuber MrBeast drops Hornets sponsorship: (Biz Journal, subscriber-only) The Charlotte Hornets are seeking a new jersey patch sponsor after Feastables, tied to YouTube star MrBeast, ended the sponsorship deal after one season. This follows last year's non-renewal by LendingTree, leaving the team in need of a new corporate sponsor for the second consecutive year.
From the Ledger family of newsletters…
A run club that makes strides toward inclusion: Mighty Striders Run Club, founded by Providence Day graduate Morgan Boonshaft, provides a supportive running community for students with special needs, offering both physical activity and a sense of belonging through weekly practices and local races.
Plus: Charlotte's federal judges ban use of AI in legal briefs; Review of ‘Back to the Future’ musical; New podcast episode on entrepreneur’s journey.
Wednesday (🔒)
Corporate culture in a company of 1: “Solopreneur” Lauren Ansley awards herself “employee of the month” every month at her solo-run company, Ansley Corporate Entertainment, one of many ways that people working for themselves try to establish a healthy corporate culture.
Plus: Reader question on long-running water main project; Readers respond to ‘Back to the Future’ musical review.
Friday (🔒)
Can cash coax hospitals to erase medical debt?: North Carolina plans to offer financial incentives to hospitals for forgiving old medical debt and improving financial assistance for low-income patients, though major hospitals like Atrium and Novant are still considering participation.
Plus: Median home sale price approaches $500,000; Court decision upholds red-light cameras.
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