Neat place to stop if you're in the area and looking for something to do. You can go into the back, through a door in the storefront, and walk up onto some scaffolding overlooking where the glassware is being made (from 10-2, I think). Watching them was neat, but a little disappointing. Most of them just picked up some glass, heated it, placed it in mold, then maybe fiddled with it by hand for another minute or two, and it was done. I guess I was expecting more artistry. And then to walk back into the store and see those same pieces that they made in 5 minutes selling for $85-$250! Wow. I would have loved to have bought a souvenir or gift for a friend, but apparently I'm not their target demographic. LOL read more

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It was very cool to watch the glassblowers in action and browse the glass showroom! The kids enjoyed the afternoon.

Experience glassblowing from 10-2 everyday, what an interesting thing to watch. We were greeted immediately by friendly staff and took our time looking at all the beautiful pieces of glass for sale. This weekend they were having a seconds sale so 25% off and I could finally nab one of the glass evergreens I've wanted for so long. read more

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I enjoyed see the glass blowers at work in the back studio areas! They had huge furnaces going and the workers were creating beautiful pieces in front of us! Having visited Oakland,Md my whole life this was the first time here. It is a little outside of town and is one of three studio/factories (according to one of the employees I spoke too) the other two are in Vermont. Honestly their prices are above my comfort level but apparently they have a Market because I was told they move like 3,000 pieces just that month! The sell to upper end stores and gift shops as well as over seas purchases. They hire local people and train them. Definitely worth a visit especially if coupled with a local art show which it was! The artists set up in a building connected to the factory-my 1st pic are of the artists; the 2nd ones are the gift shop and factory. read more

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Folks will balk at how expensive Simon Pearce glassware is, but the company is in that enviable luxury goods market where the higher the price, the more desirable the item, even in a recession. Why this glass factory and retail store are located where they are in Oakland is a bit of a mystery. Located at a small rather unattractive industrial park, the setting is completely different from the flagship Simon Pearce glassblowing store and restaurant on a river in beautiful Quechee, VT. That establishment is designed to bring in the tourists and boost sales. The Oakland establishment (Simon Pearce's website and the Garrett County map say it's actually in Mountain Lake Park, MD) have none of that classic New England vibe, but once inside, you'll find a beautiful retail store with sparkling glassware, stellar customer service, and a factory where you can watch workers producing their wares. I'd certainly gone with the intent to buy of course, but when the glassblower came over to us and asked if we had any questions, he had me at hello! I'm just a sucker for attentive service. On this trip (our second), after much debate over which pieces to invest in (these are not mere purchases after all), it would be the same glass bowls they'd been making earlier that day and would be used in our home for serving my homemade ice cream or perhaps a simple fruit salad come summer. Apparently the Simon Pearce retail stores no longer sell any of the factory seconds, but at the factory you can get seconds for 20% off. They had no seconds of the bowls we wanted so we had to pay full price, which was still less expensive per piece than the champagne glasses we'd bought last year. All the pieces are hand inspected and even to be considered a "second" the piece has to meet certain quality standards. In the factory there are plenty of bins containing broken pieces that just didn't make the cut but that's what happens at a factory producing such exquisite and delicate handmade items that will make any table sparkle. read more

Simon Pearce - How you're welcomed at the entrance to the factory - Home Decor Near Me - Oakland, Maryland

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High quality glass works. This glass store is found in an industrial park and is very unassuming. Don't let it's outdoor appearance fool you. The product here is top notch. In fact most of the Simon Pearce products ordered through the catalog come out of this facility. You are able to watch them blow glass while at the store. It is a fascinating but VERY hot process (so if you are visiting in the summer you may want to come in the morning before it gets hot). The associates are both friendly and helpful. They wrap your purchases up really well so they won't break on your way home. While Simon Pearce is expensive, it is well worth the money! Strongly recommend! read more

What a cool experience to watch them handmade items. The ladies that work there were very informative and so kind. Best Santa Clause around too read more

What a lovely visit we had! We arrived at 4:20 pm on a Saturday. The ladies in the store were helpful and sweet and we didn't feel the least bit rushed despite the fact that we got there right before close. I over-spent but we found some beautiful and high quality items. What a wonderful shop! read more

This was our first visit to the glass blowing factory and retail shop. The factory was a (free) self-guided tour with the workers below creating works of art. I was disappointed in not seeing any female glass blower workers in this occupation as only males were on the floor. After the tour there were a number of items half off but still a bit pricey. Inside the retail store had high quality glass products and then seconds "minor imperfections". I would have liked to see a brochure or sign with the history of the factory. Overall a nice visit. I highly recommend not bringing children to this location due to the expensive items on display. read more