History of Sur La Table in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: December 23, 2024

Sur La Table, Inc. is a privately held retail company specializing in kitchenware. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, they operate 184 stores across 32 states and maintain an online presence through their website and catalogs. Their product range includes cookware, cutlery, small appliances, tabletop items, linens, bakeware, glassware, barware, housewares, food, and outdoor products. Over 80 stores offer cooking classes, and the company aims to incorporate kitchens into all new store locations. Sur La Table also runs a blog called "A Sharp Knife & Salt," focusing on culinary topics. The company's headquarters is located in Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood.

1972: Founding

In 1972, Shirley Collins established Sur La Table with a single retail location in Seattle's Pike Place Market.

1995: Company Sold

Shirley Collins sold Sur La Table in 1995.

2005: New CEO and Expansion

Kathy Tierney became CEO of Sur La Table in 2005 and implemented an expansion strategy focusing on "lifestyle centers" and other prime retail locations. The company became the second-largest specialty cookware retailer in the U.S., behind Williams Sonoma.

January 2011: Website and Gift Registry Launch

Sur la Table launched its website and a gift registry program in January 2011.

September 2011: Acquisition by Investcorp

Investcorp, based in Bahrain, acquired Sur La Table in September 2011. At the time, the company had 86 stores.

October 2018: Company Overview

As of October 2018, Sur La Table operated 184 stores across 32 states, selling various kitchen and home goods. They also maintained a website, catalogs, a blog called "A Sharp Knife & Salt," and offered cooking classes in over 80 stores.

February 18, 2020: Partnership with Food Network Kitchen

On February 18, 2020, Sur La Table partnered with Food Network Kitchen to create a cooking ecosystem, combining in-store and online streaming cooking classes.