by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
Clermont has been the home to many family-owned businesses since its inception in 1884. From citrus to farming, restaurants to motels, real estate to fashion design, Clermont has witnessed businesses come and go during its nearly 150 years of existence. Some have left memories on multiple generations of Clermont natives, and those who have been around Clermont for a long time.
One such business that was brought to Clermont from Morris Plains, New Jersey, in 1965 was Bell Ceramics Inc, once located on the grounds of the present-day City of Clermont public ramp that is nestled on property between East Avenue and Third Street.
Memories of Bell Ceramics Inc, a successful ceramic and porcelain product manufacturer, resurfaced recently when family member and beloved retired Clermont High School teacher, Toni “Ma” Bell, passed away on May 16th after a brief illness. Toni’s late husband, Richard, was the son of Bell Ceramics founders Mildred and Harry Bell. Mildred was an accomplished artist and by 1947 had created a successful art school in the couple’s hometown of Morris Plains, NJ. The school eventually introduced ceramics to its list of classes offered, and that introduction would lead to the foundation of a business that would last for more than fifty years and three generations of families.
Mildred had a talent for art, and her husband Harry had a successful trait for marketing and retail. In 1948, the couple decided to join ideas into a business adventure of offering ceramic supplies for art schools and individual hobbyists nationwide. The couple sold the very successful art school that Mildred had founded and focused on creating Bell Ceramics.
During the 1950’s, Mildred had become successful at developing and selling porcelain and ceramic self-contained starter kits for individual retailers. Along with her success, Mildred developed a liquid glaze for product finishes and pioneered several teaching techniques.
In 1952, the Bell family opened a retail store where the couple sold products to ceramic studios and developed their own original molds and ceramic slips- a liquid mixture of water and clay used for joining, decorating, and casting in pottery and ceramics. This creativity would lead to the introduction of the White Orchid Porcelain Slip- an innovative formula that would revolutionize the ceramic and porcelain industry, while also catapulting the family’s business into huge success.
Soon after the couple made the decision to focus their business on a wholesale manner in 1953, Harry passed away somewhat unexpectedly. Mildred was left with not only tough business decisions but now the sole responsibility of raising the couple’s three children- Richard, Peter and Nancy. By 1958, Mildred was not only championing a successful and growing business but had met and married Jacob Lucas- a successful business owner himself.
The Bell business continued to grow, and Mildred had authored several educational books that led to ongoing relationships, and business deals with top sculptors across the country. In 1965, the couple made the decision to move the business to Clermont and escape the harsh winters of New Jersey. The couple located a large building that was once a citrus packing house built in 1922 by the Clermont Citrus Growers Association. The building would accommodate the space needed and was conveniently located by an active railway line that transported goods throughout the state. Easy access to nearby highways such as US-27 would make it easy to import raw materials for manufacturing while exporting finished products to clients throughout the nation.
Mildred’s love of dolls and her collaborations with nationally known doll artists rapidly led to Bell Ceramics, Inc.’s distinct reputation of being the leader in doll sculpture design and innovative techniques for molds, doll painting, and lace draping. During the 1960’s, Mildred’s sons, Richard and Peter, took a more hands on approach to the family business and that would eventually lead to Richard becoming the business president. Mildred and Jacob remained active in the business until her death in 1977, and his in 1988.
Bell Ceramics, Inc would continue to grow into a multi-million-dollar company with product distributors all over the world. In 1986, the management team, which now included Mildred’s son-in-law, Calvin (Cal) Hettinger, founded the International Foundation of Doll Makers (IFDM). The IFDM continues to be the leading dollmaking organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the art of creating fine porcelain dolls around the world.
With 200 distributors across the country and up to 30 overseas, Bell Ceramics, Inc also supplied materials for porcelain Cabbage Patch Kids, a version of the popular stuffed dolls that were a big sensation with children in the mid 1980’s.
By 2005, the world had changed a lot since the late 1940’s. Those changes included overseas competition and the dwindling interest in the time-honored hobby of ceramic and porcelain among the younger generations. Bell Ceramics Inc, a business that once employed as many as 50 employees and provided hometown work opportunities, made the difficult decision to close the doors.
Bell sold off its assets and product lines to a Cedar Hill, Texas, manufacturer that would continue to sell under the name The Bell Collection Ltd. The City of Clermont purchased the building and land in 2003 under a lease agreement with the intention of building a new community center. Over time, the plan for the site changed multiple times, but it would eventually lead to the present-day boat ramp that serves as a key entryway into the beautiful Clermont Chain-of-Lakes.
The Bell family has built and left a successful legacy that will be remembered in the local history books for future generations. The Bell family left a wonderful legacy that included business, service to the community, sincere friendships, and education. The passing of Toni Bell, affectionately known as “Ma Bell” by her students, will unfortunately be the final chapter of the Bell family era in the Clermont area.
Clermont and the South Lake community hold a deep, rich, and documented history. Much of this information and more is available at the Clermont Historic Village, 490 West Avenue, Clermont. Visit in person Saturday and Sunday from 1- 4 pm or visit www.ClermontHistoricVillage.org.
