Caufield's Novelty

From a 1920s novelty shop to a nationwide theatrical distributor.

Keran S Caufield, Sr got into the novelty business in a peculiar way.

An Irish immigrant, Caufield opened a photography studio in Louisville, Ky., in 1920. Business was good and there were usually a few people waiting their turn in the studio’s outer office. Caufield, using the $15 he had received in an accident settlement, bought some magic tricks and practical jokes sell in the busy waiting room. Soon, the novelty business outpaced the photography business and he put away his camera and opened Caufield’s Novelties.

The store’s magic tricks, practical jokes and toys sold well even through the Depression years. While novelties were not something people had to have, they were inexpensive, lighthearted, and the local public continued to purchase them, despite the hard times.

Caufield's continued to grow and expand its mix of Holiday Decorations and
Seasonal merchandise with the continued dedication of the Caufield family and staff.

Today, Caufields is one of the largest theatrical distributors in the nation, actively stocking 1000’s of items. Caufields manufactures, imports and distributes merchandise to locations all over the United States and to a variety of countries abroad.