If you’ve cruised past an Old Time Pottery lately or scrolled local business news, you might’ve wondered: are they actually closing down, or are those rumors just noise? Let’s take a look at where things really stand with Old Time Pottery, what’s changed over the last few years, and what customers can probably expect soon.
The State of Old Time Pottery Right Now
Right off the bat, here’s the answer—Old Time Pottery is not going out of business. As of 2025, the company is still open for business. Yes, there have definitely been some rocky headlines about store closures and corporate changes, but closing up shop is not in the cards just yet.
If you’re a longtime shopper, you might remember those wild days in 2020 when headlines about Old Time Pottery’s bankruptcy seemed to pop up everywhere. Plenty of folks assumed that would be the end of their deals on home goods and seasonal decorations. But things didn’t pan out that way at all.
Looking Back: The 2020 Bankruptcy and Recovery
Go back to 2020, and Old Time Pottery hit a wall financially. They filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy that year. For those not familiar, Chapter 11 is basically a legal way for struggling companies to reorganize while keeping business running—kind of like hitting pause to catch their breath rather than pulling the plug.
Stores did stay open during much of this process. Customers could keep shopping, even as the company reorganized behind the scenes. Bankruptcy filings often spark fears about layoffs or mass closings, but Old Time Pottery seems to have handled things with a focus on stability.
Within a year or so, the company had hammered out a plan with the courts. They paid back their creditors in full—actually an unusual outcome for a retailer in bankruptcy—and found a way to keep most of their locations running. When the heavy lifting was done, Old Time Pottery came out with new financing and a slightly leaner business. It wasn’t a Hollywood comeback, but it was enough for people who just wanted to keep finding affordable dinnerware or garden decorations.
The 2023 Acquisition by Gabe’s
Then came another twist. In 2023, Old Time Pottery was bought by Gabe’s—a fellow discount chain with stores throughout the Midwest and South. If you grew up near one, Gabe’s is that place with everything from socks to home decor, all marked down.
A lot of people get nervous when they hear about an “acquisition.” Sometimes big companies buy up familiar stores and quietly change them, or just close them altogether. But that didn’t happen here. Old Time Pottery and Gabe’s set things up so each business would keep its own name, staff, and style. It’s like one big family now, but with totally separate dinner tables.
Shoppers at Old Time Pottery probably didn’t even notice any big shakeups right after the deal. Stores stayed open. Signs didn’t change. The folks running the company told employees and suppliers that it was business as usual, just with some new partners in the loop.
How Are Things Going Right Now?
So what’s it like for Old Time Pottery these days? The company won’t call themselves “booming,” but they’re definitely not shutting their doors. After the bankruptcy and the buyout, they’re operating dozens of stores across the Southeast and Midwest, with hundreds of employees still on the payroll.
At last count, Old Time Pottery has stores in places like Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, and a handful of other states. Not every location made it through restructuring, but the core footprint is still going strong.
Leadership at Old Time Pottery says they’re invested in improving the store experience for shoppers: simpler layouts, better signs, and an easier time finding what you need. They’re also focused on making back-end changes so customers see fewer shipment delays or out-of-stock items when the busy season hits.
What’s Changing—And What’s Not
After the shake-up with Gabe’s, Old Time Pottery’s management tried to send a clear message: things might be changing, but the everyday experience isn’t going away. People still pop in for business basics like glassware, frames, rugs, or holiday knick-knacks. Prices haven’t jumped out of reach.
The team is putting effort into expanding their product line. So if you’re used to only finding home decor, you might soon notice a bigger kitchen or backyard section. They’re trying to stay nimble on trends, watching what people want to buy, and updating shelves more quickly than before.
On the logistics side, Old Time Pottery has invested in improving its supply chain. This means quicker restocks on popular products and fewer frustrating empty shelves, especially during the holidays.
Meanwhile, the store count has been holding mostly steady. There have been a few closures, which is pretty typical in retail. Sometimes a store just doesn’t work out, or landlords raise the rent, and it doesn’t make sense to stay. But there’s no sign of a company-wide shutdown.
What Challenges Do They Still Face?
No sugar-coating it: running a brick-and-mortar store in 2025 isn’t easy. Old Time Pottery, like just about every other home goods chain, faces the usual headaches: shifting shopping habits, online competition from the likes of Amazon, and the rising costs of just about everything.
There’s also a lot of uncertainty in commercial real estate, and retail trends can shift quickly. Leadership has talked about keeping an eye on what’s working at other stores—both within the Gabe’s family and elsewhere in the industry.
But even with all this, Old Time Pottery’s main goal is to stick around. They’re sharing plans with employees about staying the course, keeping stores open, and tweaking their playbook rather than tearing it up.
Is Old Time Pottery Here to Stay? Experts Weigh In
People watching retail trends don’t see the company as a likely candidate for sudden collapse. Most point to the 2023 acquisition as a good sign. Gabe’s is known for running a tight, discount-focused ship, and their business is stable enough to support Old Time Pottery through the bumps.
Shoppers themselves are noticing a few changes: some locations have gotten updated interiors, and store teams say they’re able to order in-demand items in bigger batches. That usually signals a healthy operation—not one that’s looking for an exit.
Local news outlets covering the Southeast have said there’s no indication of widespread closures or going-out-of-business sales. The stores are functioning normally, and employees aren’t reporting big staffing cuts.
If you’re interested, you can find more info on how the acquisition fits into discount retail by checking out this recent feature at Business Republic Mag. They dig into what these sorts of business deals mean for shoppers and employees—nothing too technical.
Old Time Pottery’s Path: Year by Year
Here’s a quick table laying out the key milestones over the last few years:
| Year | Event/Status | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filing | Reorganized and emerged from bankruptcy, paid creditors in full |
| 2023 | Acquisition by Gabe’s Discount Retailer | Continued independent operations, no business disruptions reported |
| 2025 | Present Day—Store Operations | Open for business, planning store and supply chain improvements |
The Bottom Line For Shoppers
So, where does all of this leave customers? If you’re someone who likes sifting through kitchen gadgets or scooping up last-minute holiday decorations, you’ll still find Old Time Pottery’s doors open.
Is it possible that the chain could face more changes or tweaks down the line? Absolutely—retail never sits still very long. But for now, you don’t have to worry about your local Old Time Pottery vanishing overnight. The company is working on staying relevant and competitive, rolling out improvements, and sticking to what it does best: affordable, approachable home goods.
If you’re the kind of shopper who walks in just to browse and ends up with a cartful of unexpected finds, you’re probably safe for the foreseeable future.
And hey, that’s good news in an era where so many retail chains have disappeared. Old Time Pottery is still part of the weekend errand routine for families across the Southeast and Midwest.
We’ll be watching as things develop, but for now, Old Time Pottery looks like it still has a place in the checkout lanes—and in the living rooms of people looking for a deal.
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