TheSnackHound

(Above: Homer Laughlin Company Blue Fish, Boardwalk and Aquamate. All pieces are made in the USA.)

When I go out to dinner or I am traveling, I often admire the substantial dining plates and glasses on my table. I am seldom surprised to see the “Homer Laughlin” name stamped on the bottom. (Yes, you have to be creative and have a good sense of balance to raise your clams linguini up and level to check it out, or look like a fool peering in reverse from under the glass patio table.) It is not hard to find classic non-Fiesta ware HLC designs from the 50s and such in the form of odd and orphaned plates and estate and yard sales, but the local Bed Bath and Beyond doesn’t stock pieces produced for institutions.

When you want an honest, solid, plain ivory set with rolled edges (Exhibit A at left) or even that cute design you saw in Miami, the best place to look is a Hotel Amenities Supplier. They not only carry linens and fixtures for hotels, but for restaurants as well. I found a few patterns on the PeachSuite Hotel Supply, shown above, as well as an honest ivory set free of decals or decoration. I have not seen the ivory set in person to tell you if it is similar to Fiesta Ivory, bit am guessing its more of a true off-white.

HLC develops various patterns for the industry and they are not sold at any traditional retailer. The public is definitely not barred from purchasing items from Hotel Supplies websites, for the most part.

There are two caveats:

1) Not all of the items on the website, china excepted, are available for private purcase. Items, such as kitchen work ranges, and other items not graded for home use are not sold to customers procuring them for home use.

2) You must buy in quantity, but its not bad. The minimum purchase on some places is 12 pieces. If you are buying with the intent of replacing a set, 12 would be a fair sized dining set for a home.

As far as Fiesta Ware, colors are limited. You might prefer purchasing by the piece at a department store or online. If “your” color is among the limited color choices available, compare the prices. If you want 12, it just might be a good deal.

It’s a little bit country…it’s a little bit rock n roll. Okay, not really. It’s a little bit 1970s beachside motel redecorated to look like the 1950s inside, its a little art deco diner.  The Homer Laughlin China Company has announced the latest Fiesta Ware color, which will make its debut at retailers and on the web this summer.

In the last few years, Fiesta is famous for making colors that harken back to some of the originals but are just a teeny tiny shade off (Note: Yellow), or even such a small variation on a recently discontinued color that one ponders why they went in the same direction.  When I first saw the announcement, I wondered how close it would be to Rose. It remains to be seen once I can hold and touch it in a store, but the color appears to have a different undertone – just enough to probably “fight” if you have a cupboard full of Rose but maybe to contrast better with the the earthy tones? On my monitor, the color looks less like a lawn flamingo and a slight shade different and more coral from the 50s pink that starred in the pink and aqua color combo.

As soon as I get my hands on it, I’ll return with a full report.

Oh joyful day. I was just perusing the corral of Savings on Savings.com, and was alerted to a vapors-inducing deal for Fiesta Ware fans. Now through March 12, 2011, Sears.com is offering a set of two Fiesta Ware casserole dishes for the paltry sum of $24.99, down from $46.00. Quantities are limited, so be sure to shop early, as in right now. I am not revealing which color I like the best so you won’t buy them up on me.

Granted, the ship-to-store option isn’t available for the items, at least not as far as I could see, so you will have to pay shipping of $12.50 per set. Dishes are heavy to ship, so that’s not out of the ballpark. You’ll still enjoy substantial savings. My investigating attitude is going to stalk the local Sears stores to see if the same deal is offered in-store, if it is, you can beat the shipping cost, but you may not get your choice of color.

The price beats Amazon, but does not beat Macy’s IF you select Evergreen at Macy’s.

Hurry scurry, because they are disappearing awfully fast. I almost don’t have time to contemplate if my oval platter is really Yellow or Sunflower to help choose a complimentary color or should I just choose my favorite hue with no regards as to rhyme or reason, like I usually do. Any thoughts?

Next weekend, the Fiesta Factory tent sale Sale will occur at the Flatwoods outlet mall.  The dates are Thursday, August 12 through Saturday, August 14th.  Times on each day are 10 A.M. until 7 P.M.  Tickets will be distributed starting at 9 A.M. on each day, so you can get in line then.

Typically, there will be first quality as well as factory seconds.  Some factory seconds merely have an air bubble or other small production blemish and are perfect for daily use, so don’t let it discourage you if you are primarily looking to complete or compliment your set, versus looking to ferret away pieces for collecting posterity. This is a great opportunity to buy one of the more expensive pieces, like a pitcher or mixing bowl set that you intend to use daily.

For etiquette tips on going to the Factory Sale, check out this post from 2008 and here.

As of this moment, I do not know if the new Paprika color will be in the mix as far as 1st quality pieces, but you are sure to find decorated pieces that wouldn’t have been available at a standard department store, or get a chance to mix and match with older colors.

The store is located at 70 miles west of Charleston at :

Everything Fiesta®
52 Skidmore Lane
Sutton, WV 26601

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Paprika, the latest addition to Homer Laughlin’s Fiesta Ware line is now available in stores. HLC officially released the color Sunday, June 20, 2010. The color replaces Evergreen in the Fiesta line up, which was discontinued in March. Of course, the colors are not remotely similar, but the deletion of Evergreen makes space on store shelves for the new arrival.

So far, I have confirmed that the Homer Laughlin Factory Store, Macy’s, Dillard’s, Mega China carry it.  Kohl’s still carries limited Evergreen pieces on their website, but does not have Paprika available.  In most cases, limited pieces are available at this time, rather than the full range of items.  The Homer Laughlin Factory Store website seems to have the largest array of pieces, which goes without saying. There are certainly to be more retailers stocking up on additional pieces as they become available.

Homer Laughlin officially retired the Evergreen color in the Fiestaware line on March 1, 2010,  making way in the collection for the summer entry into the Fiesta line, Paprika. The color is available until it sells out at better department stores and online boutiques.  HLC seems to be introducing new color at a pace of twice a year now, having introduced Ivory, Chocolate and Lemongrass in the past two years.

As the most widely collected American made dinnerware, is production meeting demands, or like American Girl clothes, is HLC just making more excuses for us to have the entire sets of something? Either way, whatever they are doing is working.  I am pleased to see the line return to brighter and clearer colors and discontinue the more somber evergreen and cinnabar. While those colors have their place, to me, vibrant colors is what makes Fiesta ware Fiesta Ware and not any other line.

Will you grab up all the Evergreen you can find, store it under your bed so you can sell it and make a profit when your first child, yet unborn, goes to college?   I likely won’t, but since its a color that I don’t have, I will most likely purchase a carefully selected representative to add to my assortment of kitchen goods.