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.
Sheila says
Any news on how to buy these retail yet? I’m not seeing an online store through HL yet.
Pam Kueber says
Info on how to buy them retail is written in the story….
Sheila says
Yes, I see that….twice! I’m sorry to have been unclear. I was inquiring about the option to order online as stated by Dick Blatchford in Brooke’s message above. I was hoping that there would be instock products to chose from.
Pam Kueber says
I don’t know about the info in the comments.
Mary Elizabeth says
Some pieces in a few of the patterns are available through the Pioneer Woman web site themercantile.com. Otherwise, you have to order by phone.
DJ says
Totally craving PULSAR!!!
Brooke says
Hey guys! I just got this response back from the company after I inquired about how to buy some of the dishes. We’ll have to keep an eye out for the new website coming.
“Thank you for your interest in our Food Service Retro pattern, Gemstone. At this point in time this pattern is not available for retail sales. We are working on a new website that will let you order directly from us. This will be completed by the end of the year.
Please stay tuned……if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Best regards,
Dick Blatchford – General Sales Manager”
Pam Kueber says
Ugh. I will ask my contact why she contacted me otherwise. Did you call rather than email?
Brooke says
Hey Pam! I contacted them through their website form so maybe they give a different response if you call? Or since you have to specify which country you’re inquiring from, they’re not selling retail to Canada yet?
Pam Kueber says
All’s I know is they said to call.
Brooke says
I’ll try calling some other time and see what they say. I’m not in a huge rush so I can probably wait until the website comes out. Thanks for doing a post on the dishes!
Carolann says
I found out about this line a couple of years ago and wanted to order a set of the Astro for home use. They stated that there is a minimum order and the line is made on demand. They have no stock on hand and the prices are absolutely crazy in price for a set. I tried a second time and they stated the same thing that none available but when the request came in for a particular style they would call and ask if I wanted pieces made up along with the other production. I’ve tried hard to get them to sell me some but it’s been difficult getting a straight answer and they have no stock on hand,I even suggested they use the pattern on a lesser grade China for us enthusiasts and they said they would consider. Maybe you can convince them to do that which would make it more affordable.
Midge Brock says
How can I resist these dishes?? -I need more dishes like I need a hole in my head….But that Gemstone pattern is calling me. Every day would be like eating at a “Googie” architecture diner! If any one is interested in the Foxglove or Wheat patterns, a few pieces are available on The Pioneer Woman’s online store, http://www.themercantile.com
Sharon says
There are some cute Pioneer Woman items at Walmart.