I picked up this beautiful cat today. The detail is amazing! Of my 4 tall cats it’s my favorite!

Sadly, Hadley Pottery will be closing its doors permanently by the end of 2022. This has been an institution for 80 years or more in Louisville. The store will be open on Wednesdays only starting April 13 until they finally close their doors. Please check their website for current information.

When I saw on TripAdvisor that M.A. Hadley Pottery was in Louisville, I knew I had to stop by there. I grew up as a child of the 70's whose mom and dad had those rustic cow paintings that are so iconic of Hadley's style. Our GPS took us right to the place: a dusty, sprawling warehouse of Hadley-esque pottery right by an interstate entrance ramp on Story Avenue. Browsing the selection was okay, but the real fun began when we engaged the shopkeeper in conversation, and she told us the story of this place after Hadley's death in the 50's. Apparently, her husband kept the place for a few years and during that time packed up many of her pieces in a storeroom in the basement. The building sold; a wall was built; and the pieces were forgotten. Sometime later this storeroom was discovered and the shop has been pulling out original (Hadley's signed pieces) and historic (pieces made by potters at the shop when Hadley was alive) items through the years since then. It's cool to think of the hidden treasures downstairs and bought out, piece by piece, for shoppers to enjoy and purchase. Whether we got a true original or not, I don't really care. I love the rustic look of the pottery, the nostalgia of having pieces from my childhood in my home today, and the sharing of local history from someone who obviously loves Hadley designs. If you love pottery (I buy a coffee mug from every city I visit.), then Hadley Pottery is worth your time.

I am a Louisville native and have no particular axe to grind. I will preface this review with the fact that I grew up going to Louisville Stoneware and have, until recently, given their custom wares as wedding gifts for years. In the last several years Louisville Stoneware was sold and the sale has changed their personality. Ordering custom stoneware has always been a quirky endeavor. The design is drawn and lettered on paper and the delivery usually takes 6-8 weeks. The quality is super and the gifts are displayed and treasured. But every time I placed a new order, though it was a similar design, it was like re-inventing the wheel. Over the last several years, Louisville Stoneware prices have escalated, pieces were shipped to the wrong address and a correct quote could not be given at the time of order....we were phoned later with a price that had increased 40% in 3 months for the same items and berated for not being charged the correct amount last time...So we visited Hadley. The difference between the 2 stores is like the difference between Disney World and Cedar Point. Louisville Stoneware is more polished and fancy. Great... if you want a UL/UK logo item and want a latte' while you wait. Hadley is more rustic and authentic....more whimsical, unique designs and much more affordable. Both make great pottery....It just depends on which experience you want.

I have collected Mary Hadley pottery since the 60s and have long wanted to visit the shop on Story Avenue in Louisville. I was thrilled! Not only did they have an order ready for me as promised, but I was able to find a few wonderful bargains as well. My husband and I took the daily 2:00 tour and it was fascinating. Each piece passes through the hands of many people before it is completed. The process is very labor intensive. We saw the pieces being formed from clay, handles being attached to mugs, pieces being painted and completed pieces coming out of the kiln. I left with many new pieces for my collection but also with a new appreciation for what goes in to making each piece of pottery. The sales people in the store were just so lovely and helpful as well. Loved it!