If your local Old Time Pottery suddenly closed or you noticed new signage going up where it used to be, you’re not alone in wondering whether the whole chain is shutting down. The short answer is no — but the full picture is more complicated than a simple yes or no.
This article covers what actually happened to Old Time Pottery, what the Gabe’s acquisition means for existing stores, why some locations have closed or changed names, and what you should do if your local store is affected.
Old Time Pottery Was Acquired by Gabe’s, Not Shut Down
The most important fact to know upfront: Old Time Pottery was not liquidated or forced out of business. In April 2023, Gabe’s — another off-price retail company — announced it had acquired Old Time Pottery.
This was a purchase, not a bankruptcy liquidation. After the deal closed, the combined business operated 169 stores across 20 states with six distribution centers. That’s a significant retail footprint, not the profile of a company being scrapped.
According to Gabe’s own brand page, stores were expected to continue operating independently through the rest of 2023 following the acquisition. The company wasn’t wound down — it was absorbed into a larger retail group.
So when people ask “Is Old Time Pottery going out of business?”, the more accurate answer is: the brand is being absorbed and rebranded, not dissolved.
What the Gabe’s Deal Actually Means for Old Time Pottery Stores
Acquisitions don’t always mean two brands survive side by side forever. Often, one brand gradually absorbs the other over time. That’s what appears to be happening here.
Many Old Time Pottery locations are being converted into Gabe’s stores rather than simply being shut down permanently. In practice, that means a store might close temporarily for remodeling, then reopen under the Gabe’s name with new signage and branding.
Think of it like a restaurant that changes ownership. The building doesn’t disappear. The parking lot doesn’t go empty. It just gets a new name on the sign and a new menu inside. The same logic applies here — the retail space continues operating, just under a different brand.
This is a rebranding strategy, not a liquidation event. Merchandise is still being sold. Employees are still working. The stores just don’t say “Old Time Pottery” anymore.
For shoppers, the practical difference is real — a brand you’ve shopped at for years is changing its identity. But for anyone worried the buildings are sitting empty and the chain is collapsing, that’s not what the available reporting shows.
Real Examples of Stores That Closed or Converted
It helps to look at specific locations rather than talk in generalities. Here’s what’s been reported in a few markets.
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
The original Old Time Pottery store in Murfreesboro — the brand’s founding location — closed temporarily for remodeling and reopened as Gabe’s on April 26, 2025, according to WGNS Radio. The store didn’t disappear. It came back under a new name.
Springfield and Fairview Heights
The Springfield Business Journal reported that the Springfield Old Time Pottery was “making way for Gabe’s” after a temporary closure. The Belleville News-Democrat confirmed the Fairview Heights location in Illinois would also transition to Gabe’s, directly citing the 2023 acquisition as the reason.
Both of these examples show the same pattern: the stores didn’t vanish. They changed names.
Surfside Beach
Local reporting on the Surfside Beach location was more mixed. One store manager reportedly said that particular location was not closing, while uncertainty existed about nearby stores. That’s worth noting because it shows closures and conversions are happening store by store, not as a single company-wide order.
The consistent pattern across these examples is that this is not a mass shutdown. It’s a location-by-location transition being handled at different times and on different schedules.
Old Time Pottery Had Financial Problems Before Gabe’s Bought It
To understand why “going out of business” headlines have followed this brand for years, you need to know some background.
Old Time Pottery filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2020. That filing included planned store closures at the time. Chapter 11 is a reorganization process — it’s not an automatic liquidation. The company kept operating while restructuring its debts.
The 2020 bankruptcy is almost certainly why many people still connect Old Time Pottery with shutdown news years later. Once a brand gets that reputation, the association sticks, even after the situation changes.
The Gabe’s acquisition in 2023 was a completely separate event from the 2020 bankruptcy. The company came through that restructuring period, continued operating, and was eventually purchased as a functioning retail business — not as a failed company being picked apart for assets.
Confusing the two events is understandable, but they’re not the same thing. A business filing Chapter 11 in 2020 and being acquired by a larger retailer in 2023 tells a different story than one that simply shut its doors.
Is Old Time Pottery Still Operating at All?
As of the time this article was written, the Old Time Pottery store directory was still active online. That suggests the brand name remains in use in at least some form, even while physical locations transition to Gabe’s.
Whether the Old Time Pottery name eventually disappears entirely depends on decisions Gabe’s makes going forward. Based on current reporting, the visible trend is toward conversion to the Gabe’s brand rather than operating both names long-term. But the process is ongoing, and not every location has been announced or confirmed.
If you’re trying to find out whether a specific store near you is still open, the most reliable approach is to check the Old Time Pottery store locator directly or search for any local news about that specific location. Don’t assume your store is closing just because one in another city did.
What to Do If Your Local Store Is Affected
Here are a few practical steps if you’re dealing with a store closure or conversion in your area.
- Check the store locator: The Old Time Pottery website still lists store locations. If your store is listed, it’s worth calling ahead before driving out.
- Look for local news: Search your city name plus “Old Time Pottery” or “Gabe’s” to see if any local outlet has covered a transition or closure in your area.
- Ask about gift cards: If you have unused gift cards, contact the store directly or check the company’s website for any policy information during the transition period.
- Check if a Gabe’s is opening nearby: If your Old Time Pottery closed, there’s a reasonable chance a Gabe’s will open in the same space. That’s been the pattern in multiple markets.
For small business owners who track retail trends, this kind of acquisition and rebranding is worth paying attention to. Understanding how larger retailers absorb smaller chains can offer useful lessons about market positioning, brand transitions, and customer retention. Resources like Small Business Goal cover these kinds of business dynamics in practical terms.
The Bottom Line
Old Time Pottery is not simply “going out of business” in the way that phrase usually means. The chain was acquired by Gabe’s in April 2023, and the transition has involved individual store closures, temporary remodels, and reopenings under the Gabe’s name.
Some stores are gone. Some have changed names. A few may be operating as normal. The situation is not uniform across every location, and it is not a single company-wide shutdown.
If your local store closed, it’s worth finding out whether it’s being converted before assuming it’s gone for good. And if you see a new Gabe’s opening near you, there’s a good chance it’s the same store with a different name — not a replacement for something that disappeared.
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