Louisville Stoneware: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Louisville Stoneware.jpg|thumb|300px|Exterior of Visitor Center]] |
[[Image:Louisville Stoneware.jpg|thumb|300px|Exterior of the Visitor Center]] |
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'''Louisville Stoneware''', previously known as '''Louisville Pottery''', is located in the Highlands section of [[Louisville, Kentucky]]. Founded in 1815, making it one of the oldest stoneware companies in the [[United States]], it creates fanciful [[stoneware]] that is nationally renowned. <ref>http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/gen/company.html?gcode=0D097D6DC38A4ADAADEA19C7A9FD290C</ref> <ref>VandeHe, Jim. '''Kerry Describes Health Proposal''' ''Washington Post'' May 12, 2004, pg A08</ref> <ref>Nold, Chip. ''Insiders' Guide to Louisville, Kentucky & Southern Indiana, 2nd'' pg.106,107</ref> It specializes in decorating its pottery with [[Kentucky Derby]] and [[Christmas]] themes, but it has other themes as well: [[Noah's Ark]], [[Primulaceae|Primrose]], and [[Pear]] being examples. They can also |
'''Louisville Stoneware''', previously known as '''Louisville Pottery''', is located in the Highlands section of [[Louisville, Kentucky]]. Founded in 1815, making it one of the oldest stoneware companies in the [[United States]], it creates fanciful [[stoneware]] that is nationally renowned. <ref>http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/gen/company.html?gcode=0D097D6DC38A4ADAADEA19C7A9FD290C</ref> <ref>VandeHe, Jim. '''Kerry Describes Health Proposal''' ''Washington Post'' May 12, 2004, pg A08</ref> <ref>Nold, Chip. ''Insiders' Guide to Louisville, Kentucky & Southern Indiana, 2nd'' pg.106,107</ref> It specializes in decorating its pottery with [[Kentucky Derby]] and [[Christmas]] themes, but it has other themes as well: [[Noah's Ark]], [[Primulaceae|Primrose]], and [[Pear]] being examples. They can also create personalized items. Besides pottery, they have made bird baths and bird feeders. <ref>Nold 107</ref> |
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Clay used by the company comes from western [[Indiana]], and may be up to 250 million years old.<ref>http://louisvillestoneware.com/story/artistry/</ref> Dishes made at the factory have been proven to be safe for use in [[oven]]s, [[microwave ovens]], and [[dishwasher]]s, and can retain heat for keeping food warm.<ref>http://www.kentuckyhaus.com/louisvillestoneware.html</ref> |
Clay used by the company comes from western [[Indiana]], and may be up to 250 million years old.<ref>http://louisvillestoneware.com/story/artistry/</ref> Dishes made at the factory have been proven to be safe for use in [[oven]]s, [[microwave ovens]], and [[dishwasher]]s, and can retain heat for keeping food warm.<ref>http://www.kentuckyhaus.com/louisvillestoneware.html</ref> |
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During the [[United States presidential election, 2004|U.S. presidential campaign of 2004]], [[John Kerry]] gave a campaign diatribe on small-business healthcare insurance in May 2004 at Louisville Stoneware.<ref>VandeHe</ref> |
During the [[United States presidential election, 2004|U.S. presidential campaign of 2004]], [[John Kerry]] gave a campaign diatribe on small-business healthcare insurance in May 2004 at Louisville Stoneware.<ref>VandeHe</ref> |
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In March 2007, Louisville Stoneware laid off most of its employees |
In March 2007, Louisville Stoneware laid off most of its employees (38 out of 49), after which they retooled their visitor's center and temporarily opened a store at [[Oxmoor Center]] in [[St. Matthews, Kentucky]]. In July, it was sold to Two Stone Inc., as the previous owner, Christina Lee Brown, wished to retire.<ref>'''Louisville Stoneware sold to local investment group''' ''Business First of Louisville'' July 17, 2007</ref> The [[chief concept officer]], Lisa Mullins, decided to increase the number of places that sold their stoneware from just one, [[Taste of Kentucky]], to three additional locations in Louisville, and one apiece in [[Bardstown, Kentucky]], [[Owensboro, Kentucky]], and [[Cincinnati, Ohio]].<ref>'''Louisville Stoneware partners with retailers''' ''Business First of Louisville'' November 7, 2007</ref> There has been plans to open stores in [[Chicago, Illinois]], [[Cincinnati, Ohio]], and [[Indianapolis, Indiana]].<ref>Slawsky, Richard. '''Louisville Stoneware's new strategies shift from wholesale to retail focus''' ''Business First'' November 24, 2006</ref> |
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Since 1997, company sales have averaged $3 million a year. In those ten years, the business switched from a mostly [[wholesale]] |
Since 1997, company sales have averaged $3 million a year. In those ten years, the business switched from a mostly [[wholesale]] business to mostly [[retail]]. Over 90% of their business has been centered around Louisville and [[Kentucky]], but internet and national advertising is expected to expand distribution.<ref>Slawsky</ref> |
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Factory tours are available weekdays by appointment, with group discounts available.<ref>http://www.louisvillestoneware.com/locations/factorytours/</ref> It is anticipated that, eventually, tours could make the factory as big a center for Louisville tourism as the [[Louisville Slugger Museum]].<ref>Slawsky</ref> |
Factory tours are available weekdays by appointment, with group discounts available.<ref>http://www.louisvillestoneware.com/locations/factorytours/</ref> It is anticipated that, eventually, tours could make the factory as big a center for Louisville tourism as the [[Louisville Slugger Museum]].<ref>Slawsky</ref> |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://louisvillestoneware.com/ Official site] |
* [http://louisvillestoneware.com/ Official site] |
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[[Category:Visitor attractions in Louisville]] |
[[Category:Visitor attractions in Louisville]] |
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Revision as of 07:22, 22 January 2008
Louisville Stoneware, previously known as Louisville Pottery, is located in the Highlands section of Louisville, Kentucky. Founded in 1815, making it one of the oldest stoneware companies in the United States, it creates fanciful stoneware that is nationally renowned. [1] [2] [3] It specializes in decorating its pottery with Kentucky Derby and Christmas themes, but it has other themes as well: Noah's Ark, Primrose, and Pear being examples. They can also create personalized items. Besides pottery, they have made bird baths and bird feeders. [4]
Clay used by the company comes from western Indiana, and may be up to 250 million years old.[5] Dishes made at the factory have been proven to be safe for use in ovens, microwave ovens, and dishwashers, and can retain heat for keeping food warm.[6]
Items from Louisville Stoneware are in the Smithsonian Institution and White House.[7] In addition, Queen Elizabeth II was presented a music box made by Louisville Stoneware, given by the wife of Kentucky's governor Ernie Fletcher, that played My Old Kentucky Home when the Queen visited Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby in 2007.[8]
The New York Times singled out Louisville Stoneware as a business especially affected by the United Parcel Service strike of 1997.[9]
During the U.S. presidential campaign of 2004, John Kerry gave a campaign diatribe on small-business healthcare insurance in May 2004 at Louisville Stoneware.[10]
In March 2007, Louisville Stoneware laid off most of its employees (38 out of 49), after which they retooled their visitor's center and temporarily opened a store at Oxmoor Center in St. Matthews, Kentucky. In July, it was sold to Two Stone Inc., as the previous owner, Christina Lee Brown, wished to retire.[11] The chief concept officer, Lisa Mullins, decided to increase the number of places that sold their stoneware from just one, Taste of Kentucky, to three additional locations in Louisville, and one apiece in Bardstown, Kentucky, Owensboro, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio.[12] There has been plans to open stores in Chicago, Illinois, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Indiana.[13]
Since 1997, company sales have averaged $3 million a year. In those ten years, the business switched from a mostly wholesale business to mostly retail. Over 90% of their business has been centered around Louisville and Kentucky, but internet and national advertising is expected to expand distribution.[14]
Factory tours are available weekdays by appointment, with group discounts available.[15] It is anticipated that, eventually, tours could make the factory as big a center for Louisville tourism as the Louisville Slugger Museum.[16]
Gallery
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The Visitor Center's interior -
Display at Louisville Stoneware
References
- ^ http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/gen/company.html?gcode=0D097D6DC38A4ADAADEA19C7A9FD290C
- ^ VandeHe, Jim. Kerry Describes Health Proposal Washington Post May 12, 2004, pg A08
- ^ Nold, Chip. Insiders' Guide to Louisville, Kentucky & Southern Indiana, 2nd pg.106,107
- ^ Nold 107
- ^ http://louisvillestoneware.com/story/artistry/
- ^ http://www.kentuckyhaus.com/louisvillestoneware.html
- ^ Nold 107
- ^ Gumbrecht, Jamie. Queen keeps a low profile at Churchill Downs. Lexington Herald-Leader May 5, 2007
- ^ Uchitelle, Louis. First, Big Spurt in Business And Then a Probable Drop New York Times August 20, 1997
- ^ VandeHe
- ^ Louisville Stoneware sold to local investment group Business First of Louisville July 17, 2007
- ^ Louisville Stoneware partners with retailers Business First of Louisville November 7, 2007
- ^ Slawsky, Richard. Louisville Stoneware's new strategies shift from wholesale to retail focus Business First November 24, 2006
- ^ Slawsky
- ^ http://www.louisvillestoneware.com/locations/factorytours/
- ^ Slawsky