You’ve seen it. If you’ve ever driven down Highway 59 toward the Gulf Shores beaches, you can’t miss that sprawling building. Old Time Pottery Foley AL has been a landmark for years. It’s that place where you "just stop in for a minute" and walk out three hours later with a cart full of oversized planters, five different types of throw pillows, and a giant metal rooster you didn’t know you needed.
But things look different lately.
The store isn't exactly what it used to be, and honestly, that’s because the company itself went through a massive identity shift. In 2023, Gabe’s (the discount fashion and home retailer) officially acquired Old Time Pottery. For the Foley location, which sits right in the heart of Baldwin County’s retail chaos, this meant a weird transition period. Regulars were worried. Would they lose the massive aisles of glass jars and the literal forest of artificial silk flowers?
The answer is a bit of a mix.
The Foley Vibe: More Than Just a Craft Store
Foley is a unique market. You’ve got locals from Fairhope and Daphne coming down for deals, but you also have a constant stream of tourists heading to the beach who realized they forgot a patio rug or a cooler. Old Time Pottery Foley AL survived because it catered to both. It’s a warehouse. It’s loud. It’s a bit overwhelming.
The layout is legendary for being a labyrinth. One minute you’re looking at cast iron skillets, and the next, you’re surrounded by enough wicker furniture to outfit a small Caribbean island.
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What makes the Foley spot stand out compared to, say, a standard Hobby Lobby or Michael’s is the sheer volume of "unfussy" stuff. You aren't buying high-end artisan stoneware here. You’re buying functional, affordable bulk. It’s the kind of place where a condo owner in Gulf Shores goes to furnish a rental unit on a budget without it looking like it came entirely out of a cardboard box from a big-box Swedish retailer.
What Actually Happened During the Gabe’s Takeover?
Let’s talk shop. Business is messy. When Gabe’s stepped in, the goal was to stabilize the brand after some financial wobbles. For the Foley store, this meant a slow integration of Gabe’s famous "off-price" apparel and footwear.
It felt a little jarring at first.
Walking into a pottery store and seeing racks of discounted name-brand sneakers is... a choice. But from a business perspective, it was a survival move. They needed more foot traffic during the off-season. When the beach crowds thin out in January, the locals still need clothes and shoes. By blending the two, the Foley location became a weird hybrid of a home warehouse and a discount clothing outlet.
Does the pottery still exist?
Yes. Mostly.
The "Pottery" in the name is still the soul of the place. If you go to the back or the side outdoor areas, you’ll still find the concrete statues, the heavy ceramic glazed pots that weigh forty pounds, and the seasonal decor that starts appearing way before the actual season. Seriously, they’ll have Christmas trees up while you’re still trying to find a Fourth of July tablecloth.
Navigating the Highway 59 Retail Gauntlet
If you’re planning a trip to Old Time Pottery Foley AL, you have to be smart about the timing. Foley traffic is no joke. The store is located at 1500 S McKenzie St. That stretch of road is a bottleneck.
- Avoid Saturday mornings: This is "changeover day" for beach rentals. The traffic is brutal. Everyone is stopping at the Foley Tanger Outlets or Old Time Pottery on their way in or out of town.
- Tuesday or Wednesday is the sweet spot: The shelves are usually restocked, and the aisles are clear enough that you won't get hit by a rogue shopping cart full of faux eucalyptus.
- Check the outdoor section first: The Foley sun is brutal. If you’re looking at outdoor pots or patio furniture, do it before you spend an hour in the air conditioning, or you’ll never want to step back outside.
People often ask if it's better than the one in Mobile. Honestly? The Foley store feels bigger because of the high ceilings and the way it spills out into the parking lot. It has a "beachier" inventory. You’ll find more teal, more coral, and more nautical-themed "Life is Better at the Beach" signs than you can shake a stick at.
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The "Treasure Hunt" Psychology
There is a reason why people get addicted to this place. It’s the "treasure hunt" aspect. Because Gabe’s and Old Time Pottery buy overstock and closeouts, the inventory changes constantly. You might find a set of high-end Italian plates one week, and the next week, they’re gone forever, replaced by a mountain of discounted pet beds.
It’s inconsistent. That’s the point.
If you see something you like at the Foley location, buy it. Seriously. Don't "think about it" and come back next weekend. The turnover in this specific store is incredibly high because of the tourist volume. I’ve seen people lose out on the perfect outdoor sectional because they wanted to check one more store down the road.
The Reality of the "New" Old Time Pottery
Is it still a "pottery" store? Kinda. Is it a department store? Sorta.
It’s currently in this middle ground. You’ll find name brands like Martha Stewart or even some high-end kitchen gadgets mixed in with the generic stuff. The prices are still the main draw. In an economy where a single ceramic pot at a boutique can cost $80, finding something similar in Foley for $24 is a win.
The staff at this location are surprisingly hardy. Dealing with Highway 59 traffic and thousands of tourists every week isn't for the faint of heart. They know where everything is, which is a miracle considering the store looks like a tornado hit a Pier 1 Imports some days.
Why Foley specifically?
The Foley location benefits from the "vacation brain" phenomenon. When people are on vacation, they are more likely to buy that 4-foot tall giraffe statue. It’s a fun stop. It’s part of the ritual for many families who visit the Alabama coast every year. It’s right there next to the antique malls and the Lambert’s Cafe "throwed rolls." It fits into the local ecosystem of "big, loud, and cheap."
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
- Measure your vehicle before you go. I cannot tell you how many people I’ve seen in the Foley parking lot trying to shove a six-foot artificial palm tree into a Mini Cooper. It’s not going to happen.
- Inspect the "As-Is" section. Near the back, there is usually a section for slightly chipped pottery or damaged furniture. If you’re handy with a bit of glue or paint, you can get items for basically pennies.
- Check the labels. With the Gabe’s merger, look for the "Gabe’s Unbelievable!" tags. Those are usually the deepest discounts on the floor.
- Bring your own "loading" help. While the staff will help with truly massive items, on a busy Saturday, you’ll be waiting forever. If you’re buying heavy planters, bring a friend.
- Don't ignore the rugs. The rug section in the Foley store is one of the largest in the region. They keep them rolled and stacked, so you have to do some digging, but the price-to-quality ratio is usually better than what you'll find online.
Old Time Pottery Foley AL remains a staple of the Alabama shopping experience. It’s chaotic, it’s a little bit weird now with the clothes mixed in, and it’s always crowded. But for sheer variety and the chance to find a weirdly specific home decor item for twenty bucks, it’s still the king of the strip.
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If you're heading down to the coast, plan your stop for a weekday afternoon. Park on the side of the building to avoid the main entrance congestion. Most importantly, give yourself a strict time limit, or you’ll find yourself explaining to your spouse why you bought a life-sized concrete lion for the front porch. It happens to the best of us.