200 year-old company offers earth-to-table tourism and shopping experience
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Dec. 26, 2013) — One of the oldest stoneware manufacturers in the United States, the Stoneware Art Factory has been located in the former Klotz Confectionery building at 731 Brent St. in Louisville since 1972.
The 200-year-old company will undergo renovation in 2014. The plan focuses on four main components — improving customer experience, creating new modern displays, offering a line of Kentucky-made products and developing its new Everyday Stoneware product line.
The Stoneware Art Factory building’s existing footprint will not change. Instead, changes have been implemented in the factory to streamline the production process and improve tour flow. The subtle improvements will allow for the retail space’s expansion from approximately 2,100 s.f. to 2,500 s.f.
More noticeable improvements will include a new checkout counter, updated restroom facilities and the addition of a GE Experience Kitchen for product demonstrations.
Along with structural changes, the merchandise displays will take on a new look and feel. Kentucky-made products such as cocoa, cookies, olive oils, sorghum and soaps will be sold alongside the functional pottery.
Stoneware’s centuries-old earth-to-table pottery methods are a natural parallel to the popular farm-to-table movement; its new retail space will combine those traditions into a mercantile or marketplace.
Stoneware Art Factory staff members also are developing new lighter pottery, design shapes, artistic patterns and bolder colors.
Renovations will begin Jan. 1. Store hours and factory operations will not be affected, nor will the tours or paint your own pottery experiences.
This is Stoneware’s first renovation of this scale since 1988. Renovations will be completed in early-March with a grand reopening and a “Meet the Makers” event on April 10.
Stoneware Art Factory is located just minutes from Louisville’s downtown business district and NuLu, Old Louisville, The Avenue and The Highlands neighborhoods. Tours are $8/person, the hands-on paint your own pottery experience is $25/person and the tour and paint your own combination ticket is $30/person. Discounts are available for seniors (65+), students, AAA, military and groups.
Reservations are preferred. Click here for more information or call 502-582-1900.
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