WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren OhioFiesta dinnerware anniversary sale draws thousands to Newell

Fiesta dinnerware anniversary sale draws thousands to Newell

NEWELL, West Virginia - In 1948 the Homer Laughlin China Company sold millions of pieces of Fiesta dinnerware.

And now, on the 75th anniversary of the label, thousands of people flock to Newell, West Virginia to buy directly from the outlet every year.

The only sound you'll hear in the giant tent outside of Homer Laughlin is the clanking of pottery in large wooden bins. The shoppers are serious about inspecting the half-off Fiesta dinnerware seconds.

"I'm wiping off the powder and then I'm looking for any seconds," explained Belinda Wiser of Wooster, Ohio. "This white mark is a second. Obviously if there's a chip missing, I don't like any imperfection on the surface."

Shoppers come from across the country to load up on the pottery.

"In Texas, about the only place to get Fiesta ware is at the major department stores," said Michael Meadows, who traveled from Simms, Texas with his wife. "And we have a lot of collectors that don't have a very good source of getting it."

The brightly-colored dishware has a new addition. The color "Marigold" has been added to commemorate the special anniversary. That color will be sold until November 2012.

Officials hope this year's semi annual sale, which began June 23, will top last year's semi-annual sale, which drew 3,000 people. They say part of the draw is that Fiesta is an American-made product. The Newell plant and store is the Homer Laughlin China Company's only factory.

"Everything that has a Fiesta backstamp on it is made within basically about 200 feet of where we're standing right now," said Homer Laughlin spokesman Dan Williams. "The factory here employs about 850 people that are all within about 25 miles of here."

Shoppers dished on the half-off prices.

"One of the bowls I'm getting retails for $23, and it's only $3 here," said Wiser. "And I can own Fiesta ware!"

And even an afternoon downpour wasn't enough to dampen the shopping spirit.

"Rain or shine, it's worth it, absolutely!" yelled one shopper as she huddled in line under an umbrella.

The semi-annual sale runs June 23-25.