Kitchen Stores

It used to be that kitchen stores were for professional and amateur chefs and bakers – but not any more. A host of new upscale kitchen stores are now opening outlets throughout the United States aimed at providing high end and beautifully designed cookware supplies for those who can afford it. And, taking a page out of Pottery Barn’s strategy, turning their kitchen store catalogs into beautifully designed print pieces complete with recipes that feature their prominent products.

It’s actually no surprise that William Sonoma has become the Pottery Barn of kitchen stores – they are owned by the same company! The company, which started as a small store selling French cookware, now has over 250 stores nationwide and a thriving online and catalogue business to cater to those who don’t live near one of their kitchen stores. William Sonoma sells an eclectic mix of cookware, cutlery, bake ware, linens, electrics and furnishings that focus on exquisite cooking and dining experiences.

Sur La Table is one of the newcomers to high-end retail kitchen stores. And, they are the only kitchen store that has signed a deal to sell Martha Stewart’s 20 Essential Kitchen Tools. Like William Sonoma, they offer a full range of cooking and dining items, however they do not sell furniture. This kitchen store however does offer more than just great items for sale. They also offer cooking lessons.

When the founders of Crate and Barrel were first married, they lamented the availability of inexpensive and trendy home furnishings. So, they started their own company. Today, Crate and Barrel focuses a significant portion of their retail space on kitchen wares. Their in store kitchen stores sell everything from cook books, to bake ware and appliances. They focus on not only pieces that are classic in design such as Le Creuset, but also offer trendy and fun pieces designed to appeal to today’s twenty and thirty something’s.

However, if you are on a budget, and these kitchen stores are out of your price range, don’t despair. Less expensive versions of the items sold in William & Sonoma, Crate and Barrel, and Sur La Table can often be purchased at stores like Bed, Bath and Beyond and Linens N Things. Or, if they don’t offer the exact same item, a similar more affordable option is generally available at a great price.

Another great store, albeit not a kitchen store is Tuesday Morning. Tuesday Morning is a unique closeout store that offers items that didn’t sell out in department stores. On occasion, you can find the French cooking staple, Le Creuset, on sale for rock bottom prices. It just takes time, patience and perseverance to find what you are looking for, as their wares changes daily.