‘We do dishes’ declares the sign at Fishs Eddy, and a visit to the Union Square emporium proves this statement true. Dishes and glasses are piled high, and browsing around the shop is not unlike a treasure hunt, discovering gems of wit that accompany every display. It is Fishs Eddy unique trademark humour that has helped make the brand so successful. Founded in 1986 by husband and wife, Dave Lenovitz and Julie Gaines, who do not shy away from using their shop to share their world views.

We do dishes

Julie, a painter, met Dave, an antique dealer, in an antique shop where he was working; they went on a date and have been inseparable ever since. Their mothers quipped that they were unemployable, so together they leased a small shop near Gramercy Park. They filled it with dishes and glasses. Deadstock found in the basements of restaurant supply shops in the Bowery and goods from American manufacturers going out of business. As US factories closed and Fishs Eddy supplies diminished Julie and Dave started developing there own product, working with overseas factories to replicate the same double fired, heavy gauge dinnerware they are famous for.

Julie developed iconic designs such as the best selling 212 New York Skyline pattern, and used the dinnerware as a platform to introduce her own brand of political satire. She is particularly chuffed that the Fishs Eddy ‘Obama Birther Certificate Tray’ is sold at the Clinton Library.

Other creative collaborations include projects with Amy Sedaris, Todd Oldham and Alan Cummings. Julie loves merchandising the different stories on the shop floor, finding all the different components to create a compelling story.

As Fishs Eddy has evolved and grown the wholesale side of the business is as important as the shop, and there are exclusive projects with West Elm and J Crew. Julie now finds the time to focus on some other projects she is passionate about. Fishs Eddy has just opened a gallery in their Union Square shop, where Julie curated paintings by local plein air artists. She plans to use the gallery to showcase other local artists in the future.

Julie has written a book about the history of Fishs Eddy that is illustrated by her son, Ben. Dave and Julie love reliving the history of Fishs Eddy, which they fondly refer to as ‘Our First Born’.

Julie Gaines, shopkeeper at Fishs Eddy