Frankoma Turns 75 With New Owner

The Frankoma name and pottery products have been around for 75 years.  Now, the Sapulpa icon has a new owner.  The News On 6's Rick Wells reports some changes may be on the way.

Wednesday was clean up day at Frankoma Pottery which is getting ready to get back into full production.  Frankoma is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

"There aren't a lot of manufacturing companies of our size that have been around for 75 years," said Joe Ragosta.

Joe Ragosta is the new owner of the Sapulpa icon and as he talked about his vision for the future of the company with The News On 6.

Basically, he wants to build on the past with updated designs and colors.

"Now we've tried to broaden our range, so we appeal to a wider range of people.  We've got a blaze pattern.  Just very, very different from what we'd sold in the past," said Frankoma's Joe Ragosta.

In recent years, the company has tried to broaden the appeal of the pottery line through promotions with Paula Dean on the Food Network, and Frankoma has been featured on The Price is Right.

"We make all sorts of custom pieces," said Frankoma's Joe Ragosta.

Some of those pieces include a mug for the National Security Agency, some old Keebler Elf cookie jars, cups coasters, plates and plaques.

Ragosta says the custom work makes up more than a third of Frankoma's business and, of course, Frankoma's been designated a tourist information center.

"This is going to give us an excuse to renovate the whole shop as well," said Frankoma's Joe Ragosta.

They will add museum space to provide a place for collectors to display some of their prized Frankoma pieces.

Updated technology out front and more efficient manufacturing procedures in the back will, he hopes, make Frankoma a successful business for many years to come.

There is a Frankoma collectors get together in Sapulpa coming up next month, and they hope to have most of the changes to the showroom completed by then.