The Call of the Slating
Slateplate came into being somewhat by accident, or perhaps geologic intervention! We got our hands on some slate from time to time and started using them as trivets and plates. We didn't want to scratch our surfaces so we put some feet on them. After awhile friends and guests started asking us to make some trivets and plates for them... and eventually we realized that slating might actually not only be fun, but something we could offer to others.
After extensive research we found the perfect kind of slate. It was charcoal black and only found on the border of Maine and Canada. There were lots of other slates out there like Vermont, Brazilian, Spanish, Chinese... but we wanted American slate and we wanted the highest quality slate with the best material properties for making our cheese boards and plates. Others were using Vermont slate and calling it 'black slate', but it really wasn't 'black' at all, it was just dark gray. We wanted BLACK so it made whatever was put on top of it pop. We also wanted it to be flat with nice fine edges to look more finished.
After a whole lot more work, trials, tribulations and the rest of the things that go with starting a small business- Slateplate was born. We now offer slate cheese boards, slate plates, slate trays and more for sale in over 200 wonderful retail establishments and restaurants. We gladly employ a handful of good quality American workers who are proud to be a part of our organization and help make our products, and our country, a little better than the rest!
So what makes Slateplate different?
- We use true black, North American slate.
- We use clear acrylic feel on the bottom of our slate. Others provide cork feet for you to put on yourself, or cover the whole bottom in felt. Our slates are the only ones that are dishwasher safe and perfectly leveled.
- Our slate is truly hand-made and hand-finished. We grind all of our edges, we pay attention to the quality of each slate, we ensure that we're delivering the quality of product we want and our owners actually work! Other slates can have sharp edges and can literally cut you! We make sure our products are family-safe and beautiful at the same time.
- We try to be as environmentally sound as possible. Any broken or off-cut slate we don't throw away, we grind it up and give it to gardeners to use in their flower beds. We don't waste anything, we re-use boxes or buy 1-offs whenever possible.
