If you’ve driven by your local Old Time Pottery lately and seen a big “Store Closing” sign, you might wonder if the whole chain is going under. Rumors are flying online and in neighborhood groups. So what gives? Is Old Time Pottery going out of business for good, or is there something else happening behind those doors?
Let’s break down what’s really going on with Old Time Pottery—store closures, company changes, and all.
The Bumpy Road: Old Time Pottery’s Past Struggles
Old Time Pottery isn’t new to financial trouble. The company first ran into real problems back in 2009, in the wake of the recession. That summer, they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which, in plain language, is a way for a business to restructure its debts and try to keep going.
At the time, they had to close eight stores to cut costs. Then, a decade later, the chain struggled again—but for a different reason.
That reason was the pandemic. In June 2020, while the world was still figuring out how to manage toilet paper shortages, Old Time Pottery filed for bankruptcy a second time. The company cited decreased sales and the general mayhem retail faced in 2020. More stores closed during this round of restructuring, though they didn’t disappear completely.
Each time, the goal was to shrink the business to a healthier size—not pull the plug entirely.
An Important Twist: Gabe’s Buys Old Time Pottery
Fast forward to April 2023, and there’s a new twist in the story. There’s a retailer called Gabe’s, which you might already know if you live in the Midwest or Southeast. They’re also an off-price store, similar to Old Time Pottery, but their focus is broader—clothes, home goods, even snacks.
Gabe’s announced they had bought Old Time Pottery. This wasn’t just a hands-off investment, either. Gabe’s made it clear: Old Time Pottery was “now a part of the Gabe’s family.” In practice, this means Old Time Pottery is no longer flying solo as its own independent company. It’s now being managed as a part of Gabe’s, with some changes coming pretty quickly. But that still didn’t mean an automatic, total shutdown.
Closures and Changes: Store by Store, Not All at Once
After the acquisition, people naturally started to worry about their local Pottery stores. Some of that worry wasn’t misplaced. A few locations, like the Old Time Pottery in Greenville, South Carolina, simply closed. Yelp lists it as “CLOSED,” and it’s not the only one.
Other locations are shifting gears rather than shuttering entirely. For example, in February 2024, news broke that the Old Time Pottery in Springfield, Missouri, would become a Gabe’s store. So, instead of vanishing, the store is converting to a new name and a slightly different focus.
It’s not always clear-cut, though. In March 2024, customers in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, saw rumors about a Gabe’s takeover. The store manager there told reporters they weren’t closing—but wouldn’t say whether the store would stay Pottery or become a Gabe’s. It seemed like even people working inside weren’t totally sure, or they just weren’t ready to say.
You’ll see similar reports elsewhere. An October 2025 closure is planned in Forest Park, according to people posting in community Facebook groups. That’s a straight-up liquidation sale, not a switch-over. But again, this news comes out one city at a time—not as a company-wide announcement.
What Old Time Pottery Looks Like Right Now
Amid all the closings and conversions, the brand itself is still alive. As of now, Old Time Pottery’s website works, and their store locator still lists dozens of stores across the Southeast and Midwest. If you check Gabe’s official website, they highlight Old Time Pottery as their “discount home décor” partner. The messaging is friendly, not like a eulogy.
That said, it’s not business as usual everywhere. Some locations are busy with “clearance” events or “everything must go” sales, while others carry on like always. Official business directories, including LinkedIn and popular company data sites, still show Old Time Pottery based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. However, how many stores are really open at this moment? That number is changing as Gabe’s decides which shops to convert or close.
This pattern is pretty common when one big retailer buys another—especially when both chains overlap in the same regions.
So, Is Old Time Pottery Going Out of Business? It’s Complicated
Here’s the real story: Old Time Pottery is not vanishing everywhere. The brand hasn’t formally announced a total shutdown, but it’s definitely shrinking and shifting.
Some stores are closing their doors for good. Others are converting into Gabe’s stores or possibly to a sort of “store within a store”—old-timers might notice Old Time Pottery-branded aisles inside what’s now officially a Gabe’s. If there’s an Old Time Pottery near you, what happens next depends completely on that individual location.
Gabe’s seems to be taking a case-by-case approach. If a store fits their Gabe’s model (good traffic, right building, etc.), it might become a Gabe’s. If it’s not working out, it may be closed. In some cases, it might stay Old Time Pottery for a while, especially if that store has a loyal following.
How to Check What’s Happening at Your Local Store
Now, if you’re planning a shopping trip or just want to use that coupon sitting in your junk drawer, here’s what you can do:
Start with the Old Time Pottery store locator. It’s updated more regularly than you’d expect. Plug in your ZIP code and see if your favorite shop is still listed and check hours.
Next, check [Gabe’s Old Time Pottery page](https://www.gabesstores.com/old-time-pottery). Sometimes, they mention recent conversions or have announcements about grand openings.
Don’t underestimate Facebook community groups, local news, or even Yelp. Local media often catches wind of closings before the national press, and employees or shoppers will sometimes share info you can’t find anywhere else. For instance, that’s how we know about the upcoming closure in Forest Park—locals posted about the sale weeks before it showed up elsewhere.
If your local store shows different hours than usual or stocks a lot of clearance items, that may be a sign of a change—either closing, converting, or just getting a resetting from corporate.
What This Change Means for Home Décor Fans and Everyday Shoppers
If you love the deep discounts and treasure-hunt feel of Old Time Pottery, this transition may make you nervous. Some locations really are closing, and others are switching to a new vibe under Gabe’s.
For casual home decorators or bargain hunters, though, this isn’t a total loss. Many of the same deals and housewares will still pop up at converted Gabe’s locations. In some cases, Gabe’s has even kept the home décor sections larger to keep those loyal customers happy.
But loyalty to a particular store matters. If you have favorite employees or a store you’ve visited for decades, it might sting to lose that specific shop—even if the parent company keeps rolling.
The bottom line for shoppers? Don’t assume a company-wide shutdown just because you see change at one location. Each store is its own story.
The Takeaway: Still Around, But Not in Every Town
Old Time Pottery is not going out of business everywhere. The company’s name lives on, but you’ll need to check your specific city or town to see what’s happening.
As part of Gabe’s, Old Time Pottery now works like a sub-brand. Some stores close, some get a fresh coat of paint (and new branding), and a few keep running almost as usual. Think of it as a chain “shrinking to fit”—trimming down where things aren’t profitable, and trying new things in locations that still make sense.
So, if you hear a friend say “Old Time Pottery is shutting down,” the true answer is: “Sort of, but not everywhere.”
Where to Find the Latest on Store Status
If you want the latest scoop on the status of your local Old Time Pottery, there are a few easy steps. First, always start with the official store locator on their site for anything “official.” Gabe’s also lists recent updates on its own official Old Time Pottery landing page.
It’s smart to run a quick search for your city with “Old Time Pottery closing,” “Old Time Pottery becoming Gabe’s,” or “Old Time Pottery hours.” Local news tends to cover big retail changes quickly, and there’s often firsthand info from shoppers in community groups or online forums.
For more general business news or background on closures and company changes, a source like Quick Business Point can help you spot retail trends.
If in doubt, just give your local store a call. Most employees are happy to answer questions about what’s changing or when things might switch over. Sometimes, they’ll know more than any press release or official announcement.
As with a lot of retail changes in 2024, it’s rarely an “all or nothing.” Old Time Pottery’s story is one of slow evolution—less flashy, more practical, and different from block to block. For many shoppers, that means there’s still time to snag a deal, find a bargain, or just see what’s left before another retail sign changes over the door.
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