Longaberger Baskets was founded in 1973 by Dave Longaberger in Dresden, Ohio. It grew into a 1-billion-dollar home décor empire, manufacturing handmade, handcrafted maple baskets. The company used a direct sales party plan. The company's sales peaked in 2000 and filed for bankruptcy in 2018. It relaunched in 2019,
J.W. Longaberger was Dave's father. He learned basket weaving as an apprentice in 1986. He bought a closed basket company in 1936.
In 1973- The beginning, the company had 5 basket weavers. Dave Longaberger revived the tradition of hand-woven maple baskets.
Artisans signed and dated the bottom of each basket, turning a functional basket into a collectible, prized item.
In 1999- Dave passed away. At the same time, consumer tastes changed, leaving the company with lower sales, which continued until it filed for bankruptcy in 2018.
After the company was acquired in 2019, the prices for new baskets skyrocketed.
Longaberger baskets have appeared as set decoration in TV shows- Everybody Loves Raymond, The Kings and Queens, Friends. Reba and Young Sheldon. They have not been featured on antiques shows yet due to the 50-year-old or older- requirement.
Today, older Longaberger baskets are sought after by collectors for their beauty and function.