Bonding over Le Creuset
April 19, 2025 by DarcieIn September 2023, I attended the Le Creuset Factory-to-Table (FTT) sale in Minneapolis and provided a report on the experience. Le Creuset’s sales move around to different cities every year, but the tradition continues, drawing ever larger crowds. People who get VIP tickets to the first day of the sale have the opportunity to buy a “mystery box” of items for $50 that contains at least $350 worth of product, an opportunity few people pass up. Eater’s report about the recent San Jose FTT sale explains how these mystery boxes have led to parking lot swaps that have begun to resemble tailgates.
Thanks to TikTok ‘unboxing’ videos, the FTT mystery boxes have become even more popular than they already were, and the VIP tickets are usually sold out within a matter of minutes of the sale going live. The story is that Le Creuset aficionados traveled to an FTT sale and ended up staying at the same hotel. This led to a swap of mystery box goods after the sale. This worked out so well that when the next sale took place, the informal “swap meet” was part of the appeal. Since that sale didn’t have a nearby hotel in which to do the swapping, one of the locals brought their RV to the parking lot and people treated the event like a tailgate party, bringing snacks and beverages.
Because those who are willing to travel a long distance to an FTT sale probably have more than just the Le Creuset in common, friendships are formed during and after the sale. Some people don’t even buy anything at the sale but rather bring items just to trade. Others take their mystery box items and donate them to charity or just shop for friends and family. I think if I have another convenient opportunity to go to the Le Creuset FTT sale, I will go with gifts in mind, because I have nowhere left to store any more cast iron cookware.
If you cannot make it to a FTT sale and shop online, remember to use our affiliate link. Their new Flamme Dorée collection – celebrating 100 years of gorgeous cookware – is beautiful and that crucible knob is all the rage. You can add a free set of two mini cocottes with $250 purchase available April 1-30, 2025, or while supplies last. Must use code 100YEARS at checkout.
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