Do you want cheery vintage pattern china dinnerware without the hassle of collecting and without the worry about lead in the glaze or putting into the dishwasher? Homer Laughlin China to the rescue! This longtime American company — which has continued selling its restaurant-quality china to restaurants and institutions for decades — now offers 16 different designs of vintage- and retro-patterned china — and even though the line is commercially focused to sell wholesale, I have the info for you to buy them direct from the company if you want some for your own. The delicious Homer Laughlin Retro line of china includes 12 designs straight from their archives and four designs inspired by the past. These are so yesterday! These are so today!
Background on the Retro line:
The Homer Laughlin China Company introduced its Retro collection in 2015, launching with 12 designs in three groups. In 2016 they added four more designs, for a total of 16 in the Retro collection. The groups include (1) patterns that already had been offered continuously in the company’s china line, (2) all-new designs inspired by the past, and (3) reintroductions of designs from their archive.
“We’re seeing a return to classic styles — many from the Mad Men era, where everything old is new again,” said Katie Bricker, foodservice and general marketing manager. “From Astro to Wheat, restaurateurs will love the themes and nostalgic feelings they are able to elicit using these revisited classics as well as modern interpretations. We are excited to introduce the Retro collection to a new generation.”
Katie was quick as a wink to help me with this story, including providing information about how to order retail (read on).
The company says about the Retro collection:
- Made from a durable ivory body dinnerware with either a clear or Arctic White glaze—high-fire, lead-free glazes that offer superior heat retention.
- Features a heavy-gauge, high-Alphalain® coating and combines strength with exceptional resistance to scratching, chipping and impact.
- Dishwasher-safe, oven-to-table dinnerware.
- All Homer Laughlin dinnerware is lead-free and designed, manufactured, and produced in the U.S. — the company’s manufacturing operations are in West Virginia.
How to order retail:
While the company’s website is targeted at commercial customers, the team at Homer Laughlin China gave me the contact information if you want to buy from them retail. Details:
- The website shows all the patterns and the multitude of pieces available: >> Homer Laughlin Retro Collection <<
- How to order: Call 1-800-452-4462 x 1443
- Since the website is intended for wholesale customers, the prices are not listed online. Customer service will give you the price.
- Price range: Mugs are around $12-16 and dinner plates range from $21- $34. (as of today’s publish date)
Now let’s look at the three collections:
“Current Retro” collection
The first collection — the “Current Retro” collection — includes six patterns that never left Home Laughlin’s product lineup — they are the retro patterns for which demand has persisted:
“Contemporary Retro” collection
These following four patterns are new from the Homer Laughlin design department, which created modern interpretations of patterns from as many as 40 or 50 years ago:
“Retro Resurrections” collection
The following six patterns come from the company’s “vast archives or retired designs” and were revived for this collection:
Repeating information on How to Order:
While the company’s website is targeted at commercial customers, the team at Homer Laughlin China gave me the contact information if you want to buy from them retail. Details:
- The website shows all the patterns and the multitude of pieces available: >> Homer Laughlin Retro Collection <<
- How to order: Call 1-800-452-4462 x 1443
- Since the website is intended for wholesale customers, the prices are not listed online. Customer service will give you the price. Price range: Prices vary by pattern (prices are not shown on the website). As of the date of publication of this story, July 2017, mugs are around $12-16 and dinner plates range from $21- $34.
ineffablespace says
I like Styleline. I think our local country club had that with a monogram.
My grade school cafeteria had Regal and Jet Spray in maroon. I like the Jets Spray in Mocha
Carolyn says
There are times you wonder what the heck you’d do with Harvest Gold kitchen appliances – Gemstone and Astro and Golden Ambrosia with GA also working with Coppertone!
If I were forced to make a definite decision (if I had too many dollars and not enough sense I’d buy a 4 place of all!), I’d go with Corsage as a base for Christmas. but I’m drawn to all – and I’m not keen on yellow!
Commenters are mentioning the high price – look at them as an investment. It sounds as if they’d easily stand up to regular use and the average homemaker wouldn’t bang them around nearly as much as a restaurant does. These would be easier to hand down as an inheritance since they can be nuked unlike gold/silver rimmed fine china. They have styling that has stood the test of time unlike Teddy bears, geese and other stoneware.
Roberta says
If I hadn’t already filled my cabinets with Royal China Star Glow, I’d be tempted… but alas!
Melinda says
If I didn’t already have hundreds of pieces of their Fiestaware, I’d be ordering that Pulsar in a hot minute!
Mark says
I love homer! Been collecting it for a few years now along with other vintage restaurant ware. I really like how solid it all feels, very heavy and robust and the patterns are great.
I most pick up the oval plates, they are fun and funky!
Now I think I might have to buy an entire set of matching dinnerware!
Amber says
So many to choose from…Pulsar, Astro and Wheat look nice. I also like Gemstone and American Rose. They do seem a bit pricey, but I imagine being geared to commercial use they have to be designed to stand up to far more wear and tear than the standard, home use plates.
Miranda says
Is that $21-34 per plate? Maybe I’m cheap or just used to WorldMarket, but that sounds high. I love the Pulsar design.
Trudi says
I must be eating out at the wrong places because I don’t think the restaurants I go to are spending that much per plate! I do love all the designs especially Greek Key. I think that would be great with a Hollywood Regency/Palm Beach look.
Heather Graham says
Having worked in wholesale, I suspect these are catalog prices where different restaurants are given multipliers based on their purchasing power (super large chain gets a better multiplier than mom and pop cafe). Kitchen cabinet companies price this way. But if we pay that price I’m not sure…
Pam Kueber says
Yes, dealing with retail in small quantities is costlier…
Jay says
HLC deserves Kudos for allowing retail customers to deal directly with the factory which is in the USA and only the USA, unlike Phaltzgraf and Lenox. These dishes are the last of a great industry that served railroads, hotels, restaurants, schools and hospitals. Everything is throw-a-way today or cheap generics from China. The extinct companies’ wares are highly collectable (Shenango, Buffalo, etc.).
Eliza says
must have!!!!
Brooke says
I love the Gemstones and Astro. The white and yellow patterns would be perfect for my house. I will seriously have to think about buying some of these to replace my not so nice dishes. I wonder if they require a minimum order as I might have to buy them a few at a time given the USADo they require a minimum order
Pam Kueber says
I don’t know about minimums, Brooke. Give them a call…
Brooke says
whoops, sorry for the discombobulated comment. I didn’t notice I hadn’t finished my train of thought… I meant to say given the USA to Canadian exchange rate it might mean I would have to spread the order out. I will give them a call and see 🙂
Lynne says
Pulsar. It matches my kitchen. I wonder if any retailers will be picking up this line??