Re-Tinning a copper pan

Does anyone know of a local store that re-tin's copper pans. I can only find places in NY, and the shipping charges are a bit too high.

I’m glad you asked that. It gives me another chance to mention a local business that really intrigues me. Archer Tinning & Retinning is an old, old factory in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. It looks like there should be a harness maker next door. I’m not certain they’re still in business but I think so. I have no idea if they’ll do small orders; for that matter I’m not even sure they do cookware but that’s all I know of that gets tinned and retinned. Please let us know if you find out anything.

If you go, be sure to go about a mile west to visit the small but dense and vibrant Mexican business district on 47th between Ashland and Damen (lots to eat there). Be sure to go a block up Hermitage to Baltic Bakery and admire their fine collection of statues of the Virgin Mary and chickens.

Archer Tinning & Retinning
1019 W 47th St
Chicago
773-927-7240

I am more than pleased to recommend Baroque Silversmith. Took in a very large copper pot several years ago. It was very large, dragged over here a century ago when the family shlepped to the US from Russia (and it was an antique then). So large and heavy that it saw decades of use as a planter instead of a pot. I took it in; they didn't flinch. Gave me a very reasonable (not cheap) estimate and did a beautiful job.

They have locations in both Skokie and the Loop and you should check out their website: http://www.baroquesilversmith.com They do a wide variety of things, have an impressive customer list (if that matters to you), and are both friendly and helpful and (so far as I can tell), quite good at what they do. As their site says, no job too large or too small. They went to some trouble to explain what could be done with my pot, how it would look, why it wouldn't re-tin completely properly, etc. etc.

I believe it's a family-run outfit. I would not hesitate to return. Let us know where you end up and how it goes. Good luck.

55 E Washington, Suite 302
(312) 357-2813

HQ is located at:
8052 North Lawndale
(847) 677-7446

Over six years ago I wrote:I’m glad you asked that. It gives me another chance to mention a local business that really intrigues me. Archer Tinning & Retinning is an old, old factory in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. It looks like there should be a harness maker next door. I’m not certain they’re still in business but I think so. I have no idea if they’ll do small orders; for that matter I’m not even sure they do cookware but that’s all I know of that gets tinned and retinned. Please let us know if you find out anything.

Looking through a guidebook published in 1983, I found the following entry on Archer Tinning.

Chicago Magazine's Guide to Chicago wrote:Owner Arjen Byvoets, whose grandfather was a coppersmith in England, is re-tinner to the stars: Jean Banchet of Le Français brings his pots here, and so can you.

Archer's website indicates they're still in business, entering their ninth decade.

Archer Tinning & Retinning
1019 W 47th St
Chicago
773-927-7240
http://www.archertinning.com/

I went to Baroque Silversmith a few years ago to have a sauce pan retinned for a friend. I was very satisfied. It looked like a completely new pot.