Frankoma Pottery, located on old Route 66 near Sapulpa, Okla., has been put up for sale again after a poor year, reported KJRH-TV in Tulsa.
The company has had four different owners over the past 35 years.
The new owner, Joe Bagosta, didn’t want to do any on camera interviews, but he said the company’s sales are down between 60% to 70%.
Bagosta says five people were laid off New Year’s Eve, including production employees.
Right now, just three employees remain on duty.
Frankoma has been operating since 1933. With such a revolving-door of owners and mediocre sales, the future isn’t looking terribly bright for the Oklahoma icon. I suspect it will require a very creative and energetic proprietor for Frankoma to survive.
I hope they can make it. I have a crazy aunt who lives in Claremore, OK and she’s been buying stuff from Frankoma for years. This isn’t an ad but I can say their products last forever and really do the job. I’d recommend their products to anyone. They’re a bit pricey compared to the cheap stuff, but they are well made. I think I’ll order a few things from their website just in case. They also make great gifts for people who are hard to buy for.
I’m sorry to read this. As someone in the “vintage trade” I agree with the above poster. Frankoma lasts generations and is collectable, it’s well worth the extra price.