Williamsburg Pottery History

The Daily Press in Southern Virginia is great at writing historical pieces about Virginia. One of those stories came out today about the Williamsburg Pottery in James City County. The pottery is one of those places that I go to frequently on the trip back from visiting my parents in Hampton Roads. In fact, most of the things in my house came from the pottery, including frames, artwork, curios and knick-knacks, and of course pottery and plants.

From the Daily Press here:

JAMES CITY — Thanks in large part to James E. Maloney, the Williamsburg area draws hordes of outlet shoppers each year – not just history buffs and roller-coaster fans.

Maloney, who died in July 2005, established the Williamsburg Pottery in 1938. It started as a roadside pottery stand off Route 60 and grew into a complex of no-frills stores selling thousands of products, from silverware to Christmas decorations.

The Pottery presaged the outlet mall. It has also helped bring other discount retailers to the Lightfoot area of James City County, such as Prime Outlets with its 90 vendors.

About 1930, Maloney began to learn about pottery from Paul Griesenauer, who ran Jamestown Colony Pottery. By 1938, he was married and spending about $150 on a half acre off Route 60, where he built his stand, kiln and workshop with living quarters in the back.

Maloney and his first wife, Gloria, sold any pottery with flaws at a discount, and then began selling other people’s “factory seconds” as well. The Pottery eventually got into international import buying. By 1980, annual gross revenue had reached about $20 million, and rose to an estimated $60 million or more by 1990.

The Pottery’s founder was 93 when he died last year. In the early 1990s, he attributed his long life to staying active.

If you visit Colonial Williamsburg, take a few hours to stop by the Pottery. The old round kiln house is still there, and there are acres of shopping available.