Jacques and Julianna Busbee started Jugtown Pottery in 1917. At first, they hired local potters to turn their ware. But in 1921, they hired Charles Teague as a turner and in 1923 they hired Ben Owen.

Jacques admired Oriental art and as a result, he introduced Chinese and Korean forms to the potters at Jugtown. Jacques died in 1947 and Julianna continued to operate the pottery until her death in 1959. Ben left Jugtown at this time to establish his own pottery and for a short period John Mare, a local businessman, operated Jugtown.

After Mr. Mare died in 1962, Vernon and his brother Bobby Owens along with Charlie Moore operated the pottery. In 1968 a nonprofit corporation continued to operate Jugtown until 1983 when Vernon and his wife Pam bought it. Today Pam, Vernon, and Bobby Owens operate the pottery.