If you asked around, you’ve probably heard rumors that Old Time Pottery might be shutting its doors for good. It wouldn’t sound so far-fetched, considering how unpredictable retail has been over the last few years. But let’s clear things up right away. No, Old Time Pottery is not going out of business. If you’re someone who still loves wandering through those massive aisles looking for deals on home goods, you can relax for now.
So, what’s the real status of the company in 2025? And why do these rumors keep popping up? Here’s what’s actually going on.
How Old Time Pottery Landed in the Headlines
Old Time Pottery has always had a certain devoted customer base, especially across the Southeast and Midwest. The stores are basically treasure hunts for folks searching for affordable home décor, kitchenware, and all sorts of seasonal stuff.
But even the loyal crowd noticed when, back in 2020, the company had to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This came right in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like a lot of retailers, Old Time Pottery was hit hard by sudden store closures, tough restrictions, and big shifts in how people shopped.
The day-to-day impact was immediate. If you had an Old Time Pottery in your area, you might remember stores temporarily shutting or stocks thinning out. People wondered if the chain might disappear altogether.
What Happened During the 2020 Bankruptcy?
Bankruptcy can sound final, but Chapter 11 is more about reorganization than closing up shop. For Old Time Pottery, filing for Chapter 11 in June 2020 meant the company got a chance to restructure debts and figure out how to stay in business.
The pandemic was a shock to the system, but it was more like a painful reset than the end. The company cut costs, negotiated with landlords, and shuttered a handful of locations that just weren’t working anymore.
By November 2020, Old Time Pottery had emerged from bankruptcy with a new financial plan in place. They kept 41 of the original 45 stores running and actually managed to pay back creditors in full—something you don’t often see. Reports at the time even said they hired over 150 new people as stores got back on stable footing. So, while the news was definitely rough, it wasn’t the disaster it could’ve been.
The Gabe’s Acquisition in 2023: What Changed?
Just as things started to feel steady, another headline rolled in. In early 2023, Old Time Pottery was acquired by Gabe’s—a fellow discount retailer known mostly around the mid-Atlantic. Gabe’s is actually owned by a private equity firm called Warburg Pincus, which plays in this kind of space a lot.
The big question after any acquisition is, “Are the stores going to change?” And, for Old Time Pottery, the short answer is “not really.” When Gabe’s stepped in, they let Old Time Pottery keep operating under its own name. Shoppers didn’t see huge shifts overnight. The familiar signs, store layouts, and the type of products stayed largely the same.
People who watched the merger closely saw it as a good thing. With the backing of a bigger company, Old Time Pottery had a stronger financial cushion, more buying power, and access to better technology for things like inventory and supply chain management. The merger wasn’t a rescue from collapse, but more of a partnership to beef up stability.
So, Where Does Old Time Pottery Stand in 2025?
Fast forward to 2025, and the company is still standing. You’ll find Old Time Pottery stores operating in several states, ranging from Tennessee and Florida to Alabama and North Carolina. Some locations in the Midwest are open too.
If you walk into a store today, you’ll probably notice some improvements here and there. New leadership has talked publicly about investing in better store layouts, fresher merchandise, and more efficient supply chains. The goal seems to be making it a smoother shopping experience and ensuring inventory actually matches what people are looking for.
Old Time Pottery’s business model still revolves around large-format stores with lots of inventory at competitive prices. The company continues to carve out its niche by offering in-person deals and seasonal surprises, which online retailers haven’t managed to beat yet.
Why Do People Keep Talking About Store Closures?
Part of the misunderstanding comes from the simple fact that, yes, Old Time Pottery did close some stores. During the bankruptcy process, a handful of locations were shut down—think places like Rockford, Illinois, or Fayetteville, North Carolina. Since then, a couple of other individual stores in a handful of states have closed as well.
But here’s the important piece: closing a few stores doesn’t mean the entire business is going away. It’s standard for retailers to close underperforming spots when they restructure. Those headlines about specific closures tend to get picked up and shared a lot—so it’s easy to assume the worst.
At the same time, the chain managed to stabilize even after trimming some locations. There’s been no evidence, financial filings, or credible reports showing the company is planning a full shutdown or heading toward liquidation.
If you hear chatter in a Facebook group or see an old news clip, that’s probably the story people are remembering—but it’s not what’s happening company-wide today.
The Retail Challenges: How Is Old Time Pottery Competing Now?
Retail is tough, period. Even giants like Bed Bath & Beyond and Tuesday Morning have gone under in recent years. Old Time Pottery faces a lot of the same issues: more people shopping online, pressure from Amazon and Walmart, higher shipping and supply costs, you name it.
But where some chains have floundered, Old Time Pottery’s leadership is betting there’s still room for discount home goods—especially for shoppers who like the “hunt” and don’t mind an in-person browse.
Industry watchers say the 2023 merger with Gabe’s helped. The combined company gets better leverage when negotiating with suppliers, plus the backing of a big investment group. That kind of support lets them run more efficiently and invest in tech upgrades and improvements that smaller chains often can’t afford.
Analysts who cover retail trends have pointed out that, while the market is brutal, there is still a place for stores that can keep costs down, offer fresh inventory, and create a fun shopping experience offline. In other words, Old Time Pottery has a shot—as long as it keeps evolving.
Looking at the Bigger Picture: Stability and the Future
For people who pay attention to retail news, Old Time Pottery is now in a class with other mid-market home stores that keep finding ways to survive. It isn’t dominating headlines like it did during bankruptcy or the merger, and that’s a good thing. Quiet stability often signals things are working as planned.
The reality is that the company’s plan includes gradual updates rather than dramatic overhauls. You’ll see new signage or wider aisles here and there, but the business is sticking to its roots. Store managers still focus on local demand, seasonal sales, and traditional marketing mixed with a bit more digital than before.
If you’re looking to keep an eye on business trends, sites like AroundBusiness occasionally post updates on major retailers, including Old Time Pottery. That’s a solid move if you want to track any sudden shifts.
In terms of jobs, Old Time Pottery is still hiring and training staff for stores in active markets. Employees report workloads are steady. Local news sometimes covers grand reopenings or improvements, especially after store refreshes. There’s no sign of mass layoffs or inventory clearing for a permanent closure.
Final Thoughts: Will Old Time Pottery Stick Around?
If you visit Old Time Pottery for affordable décor or a Halloween centerpiece, you don’t need to panic about your store vanishing tomorrow. The company survived a brutal chapter in 2020, regrouped, and got a fresh boost from the Gabe’s merger.
Will every location survive forever? Of course not—that’s not how retail works anymore. But for now, Old Time Pottery isn’t going out of business. It’s working to modernize, compete, and stay relevant for shoppers who still want the experience of sifting through aisles and discovering bargains for their homes.
The bottom line is, business continues as usual. Keep an eye out for local changes, but don’t believe the wave of “going out of business” rumors you might see online. The dust has settled, and Old Time Pottery is as stable as most retailers get these days. There’s always a chance the retail winds will shift, but, for now, the aisles are still open and stocked.
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