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.
Michelle says
Love the Gemstone–reminds me a bit of Catherineholm cookware.
Mary Elizabeth says
There are restaurant supply houses that have Homer L. at a discount. I would like oval dinner plates and pasta-rim soup bowls. I’ll check it out–as soon as I can decide on my favorite pattern. It’s tough!
Nina462 says
I have the Golden Wheat pattern of Homer Laughlin chine. It has a 22 kt gold trim (no microwave!). It’s the same pattern my Grandparents had. I love my china.
Nina462 says
let me rephrase this…my Golden Wheat is not the Wheat pattern shown above & my set is more fragile than the restaurant ware shown. However, I do love my Homer china set …especially love drinking coffee from a coffee cup (not a mug). So dainty!
I see my set all the time at antique stores – so go shopping there if ordering new is too pricey.
Victoria says
I use a vintage set of Homer Laughlin restaurant ware for our every day dishes and can vouch for their sturdiness. No chips and hard to scratch.
Laurie Louise says
Oh man…just when I thought I had my dish “issue” under control!
Stacia says
I have the checkers dishes in 3 colors: red, turquoise, and black. Mine are mixed with bowls in the same colors that have 3 thin lines going around them that I don’t see here. I love them because I can put them in the dishwasher and microwave! Also, the colors match Fiestaware for serving pieces.
Vic says
I have used their new Fiestaware since it was reintroduced in the late 1980’s. It is incredibly sturdy and worth the higher price. Over the years I’ve picked up pieces from their resturant line under the HLC label in the same colors, they are made to last for sure.
The only signs of wear after more than 25 years of use are a few utencil marks on plates which can be removed with a bit of copper cleaner.
Karen S says
Love the Gemstone, Pulsar and Astro patterns. I have my parent’s Homer Laughlin china (they married in 1957) called Imperial Blue Dresden. I use it almost every day. Some of the plates have chips but it’s all in really good condition considering its age and it was used by a family of 6.
V Boaz says
I like the pulsar pattern. I checked the HL website, but I cannot tell if those patterns would be available as coffee mugs, rather than cup/saucer. While I love my Fiesta Ware, I’ve had to move to plain white Corelle – and use Fiesta cups with it. Nice contrast between the sturdy Fiesta and the light Corelle
Laurie says
I love the Greek Key!