George Aratani initially founded Mikasa as American Commercial Inc. in the state of California in 1948. Initially a dinnerware importer, Mikasa grew into a dinnerware wholesaler over the next twenty years supplying dinnerware to Bloomingdales, Macy’s, May Department Stores Company and other fine retailers. In 1957, the brand name Mikasa was introduced to the American public.

During the 1970’s, Mikasa diversified its product lines to augment its already successful dinnerware lines with the introduction of crystal stemware, stainless flatware, crystal gifts and picture frames, ceramic vases, table linens and decorative accessories.

Mikasa opened its first outlet store in 1978 near its Secaucus, New Jersey distribution facility. Over the next twenty-five years, Mikasa has continued to open stores under the Mikasa name throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Today, Mikasa owns and operates over 160 stores in forty states.

Mikasa’s corporate headquarters are located in Secaucus, New Jersey, and its distribution centers are now located in Charleston, South Carolina and Markham, Ontario. The facility in Charleston was opened in 1997, and now employs close to 400 local residents, and our Secaucus headquarters now employs over 200 associates. The company has over 2,800 dedicated Associates working throughout North America within its Retail, Wholesale and International Divisions. In addition, Mikasa currently markets its products through 6,700 independent retail accounts including retail department stores throughout the United States and Canada.

Mikasa, like many other companies, is the result of the typical American success story and has plans to continue the growth of its retail division throughout North America.