Description: Marshall Pottery, the largest manufacturer of clay pots in the U.S., has been in business for 100 years making hand turned pottery and selling to wholesalers. The treat for the rest of us is they have a large store where we can purchase direct from them, usually at really great prices. Another treat is you can tour the workshop area or watch them work through a glass window looking into the work area.
While they have all sizes and colors of decorated and undecorated pottery, including the standard red clay pots, this is not just pottery. When you walk into this large unimpressive blue metal building, in front of you is an open room filled with gifts, flowers, candles, and home decor. They have several distinct areas selling candles and scented oil lamps in one area with househould decorative and gift items(mirrors, tables, shelves, etc.) in another. There is a Texas section featuring Texas gifts and souvenirs, a greenhouse, a section for seasonal items and Christmas decorations, and pieces of unique furniture items scattered throughout, including outdoor furniture. One of my favorite sections, an area devoted to kitchens, features fiesta ware in several colors, other dishware and utensils, and a great selection of gourmet coffee beans.
On my last trip to the store I bought a pair of cute piggy bank pigs($12 each) made from a jug design placed on its side with ears attached, painted on eyes, a slot for inserting coins, and a nose(the opening of the jug) with a cork that can be removed to pour out the money. No two are alike as all the pottery here is handmade. You can request customizing any of the handmade pieces with someones name, but allow them a few weeks.
And while you are here, if you are waiting on someone to finish shopping, or just need a break, there is a break room available to the public complete with drink and snack machines, tables, and bathrooms. Just go to the back, past the section where you can observe the making of the pottery.
They are open Mon-Fri 9-6 Sun 10-6. For more information call them at (903) 938-9201 or check them out on the web at www.marshallpotterystore.com
Their location is on FM 31. You can get to FM 31 from Interstate 20 east of town. Travel west on FM 31(Elysian Fields road) about three miles. From Hwy 59 go east on FM 31 also about 3 miles. From Hwy 59, FM 31 is Travis Street, becoming Elysian Fields after about a mile.
This is great for anyone who likes shopping, especially for unique handmade items, and it is interesting to be able to see where they make the pottery. I will come in here several times a year because they change items seasonally, have great sales on clearance items, and because of the great selections, I think of them when I am looking for gift items.
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