Author Archives: Stormy Kromer

Our 3rd Annual Cornhole Tournament

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Playing Cornhole (also known as Corn Toss, Bean Bag, Bean Toss, Soft Horseshoes, Indiana Horseshoes, and more) – has become an annual tradition here at Stormy Kromer.  For the third summer in a row, employees paired off into teams and played in our very competitive, double-elimination tournament.

This year’s tourney counted 18 teams, representing every department of the company.  Playing in our parking lot (or warehouse on rainy days), the teams battled it out during their morning breaks and lunchtimes, with many matches attracting a number of spectators.

Complete with popcorn for the excited fans, our Championship Match featured Carol & Dennis vs. Tim & Denise.  While the crowd was hoping for a competitive and lengthy match, Carol & Dennis remained undefeated and cruised to victory with a score of 15-6.

Our Champions received a cash prize, but more importantly, earned the right to proudly display the prestigious Cornhole Trophies which will stay at their work stations until next year’s tournament.  Last year’s winners, Rick & Larry, begrudgingly handed them over at our Trophy Presentation on August 29th.

Congratulations to Carol & Dennis (in yellow), and thanks to all of our 2012 teams for participating!

What’s a Kromerism?

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If you follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest, you probably have seen us use the word “Kromerism.”  So just what is it?

Simply put, a Kromerism is a comment George “Stormy” Kromer might make on the world of 2012.  A world far different than the one that caused him to invent the iconic cap.  We like to think he’d have something to say about things like smart phones, cubicles and 21st century fashion.

They started out as simple tweets (they’re the most popular thing we do on Twitter), and have now turned into graphics as well.  We may even turn a few into posters, so stay tuned.

These are a few of our current favorites.  Stay connected with us through all our social media channels to catch the new ones as they come out.

Now it’s your turn: what commentary do YOU think ol’ Stormy would make on the world today?

Stormy Kromer Plaid Designs for 2013

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One of the most popular posts since launching our blog was “Developing Stormy Kromer Plaids”, posted last September.  We had 69 comments to that post with so many great suggestions on naming our plaids.  In fact, we named one of our new Ida Shirt fabrics using one of your suggestions (sorry, it’s not available quite yet on our website, but stay tuned!).

Ida Shirt in Chocolay - Available Soon!

Chocolay (which also happens to be a township in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula), was a perfect moniker for the the rich browns, beiges and blues in this new shirt.

We’ve got two new plaids that have just gone into the sampling process.  We can’t tell you what products they will be used in, but once again, we would love your suggestions on names for these new designs.  Perhaps your idea will be showing up on products in fall 2014!

Let the suggestions begin!

Featured Retailer: Mast General Store

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Stop by and see what hasn’t changed in the last 129 years.

There’s an 80-year-old man in the village of Valle Crucis, North Carolina, who can’t remember a day he didn’t head down to Mast General Store for lunch—a plug of baloney and a cold glass of Yoo-Hoo.

He’s not alone. Most folks in this tiny, Blue-Ridge-Mountain town (and thousands more from the surrounding region) depend on the Mast Store for virtually everything a person needs for life. Shoes, socks, shirts and outdoor gear—plus things like jams, jellies, hand-made furniture and the sort of service you’d expect at the turn of the century.

Just not the last turn of the century.

Mast General Store opened in 1883 to take care of the friends and neighbors who farmed the surrounding lands. And even though generations of those farmers have turned into generations of city-dwellers, they continue to seek the authenticity the Store was founded on.

“We still ask our patrons what they need us to stock, and that’s what we put on our shelves,” said Sheri Moretz, Community Relations Manager for all nine Mast Stores. “It works like retail is supposed to: recognizing and caring about customers, welcoming them with conversation, keeping them as friends.”

Walk in the store and see it for yourself. The first thing you’ll notice is people playing checkers at the potbellied stove with bottle caps off a few old-fashioned Coca-Colas. The next thing you’ll notice is the Post Office, where Valle Crucis still gets its mail. After that, grab yourself a cup of coffee—it’s a nickel, and that’s on the honor system—then mosey up and down the aisles. (Literally up and down, too, because the floor isn’t so level after all these years.)

You can also take a seat on the liar’s bench out front, which is where many good tales are told.

“We love stories here at Mast Store,” added Moretz before diving into one about the time the Charles Kuralt came in for a visit. “He wrote an article about us and said ‘Where should I send you to know the Soul of the South? I think I’ll send you to Mast General Store.’ That was the 1980s, and people are still seeking that same experience.”

It’s these types of genuine, down-to-earth anecdotes that led the buyers at Mast Store to put Kromers on the shelves.

“Stormy Kromer’s got a great story,” said Moretz. “It’s authentic, and it shows we share the same values. This is a made-in-the-USA product that fits a modern need in a traditional manner. That’s what we are, too.”

Stop by, see for yourself, and spin a few stories of your own, at MastGeneralStore.com.

Mr. Grossman, You are the Caretaker of a Legend.

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All employees here at Stormy Kromer receive this nifty plaque when they are hired, reminding them of the rich Kromer history they are keeping alive.

We all have fun displaying them on our desks, sewing machines and other work stations.  It gives everyone a little extra sense of pride.

So we got to thinking, who else deserves this honor?

Last month, at a long overdue dinner meeting in Milwaukee, Bob Jacquart, our CEO, presented Dick Grossman with a special Caretaker of a Legend plaque.

If you need a quick refresher, Mr. Grossman was the second owner of the Kromer Cap Company, having purchased it from Stormy himself in the mid-60′s.  In 2001, after one meeting and a handshake, Bob and Dick had an agreement which moved the Kromer Blizzard Cap to its current home in Ironwood, MI.  Dick continued running the Kromer Cap Company for a few more years in Milwaukee, manufacturing the company’s cotton caps used by welders, railroad workers, and other tradespeople.

At 79, Dick is now retired from the hat business.  He’s as high-energy as ever, and is downright giddy about the success of Stormy Kromer over the past 10 years.  He’s pretty sure that Stormy would be proud of us too.

Presenting this small token of appreciation to him seemed the least that we could do.  Without him, who knows what would have been the fate of the now iconic cap?  He believed in the product, in making things in the USA, and in good old-fashioned quality.  He kept things going until the next Caretaker was ready to take over.

And for that Dick, we tip our caps to you.

Bill Murray in a Stormy Kromer?

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Yes, you read it right.  The quirky actor was spotted on the golf links sporting a charcoal Original Stormy Kromer Cap.  His presence at the Irish Open Pro-Am garnered a lot of media attention, including an interview by BBC News in which he is wearing his cap the entire time.  Several celebrity sites have also posted photos – this photo gallery is a particularly good one.

Welcome to the Stormy Kromer family Bill!

 

Hat’s off to our Dads

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Earlier this week, we asked our employees to share with us some bit of advice they got from their dads.  In turn, we thought we’d share these words of wisdom with you.  From the practical to the silly, they are a great reminder for us to say thanks to our dads this weekend for all they do for us.

Enjoy!

“The day before I got married my Dad pulled me aside and said, ‘Before you go I need to teach you a couple of things: 1) how to change a flat tire because every girl needs to know how to change a tire and 2) how to make a batch of homemade spaghetti sauce because the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach! ‘”
-Kirsten, Customer Service

“My dad, the founder of Jacquart Fabric Products once told me, ‘Once you start working 12 hours a day, your luck will change.’”
-Bob, CEO

“My dad always told me while in the car and a deer crosses, ‘When there’s one, there’s two.’  I frequently find myself repeating him now when I see a deer, and of course once the second deer crosses, I feel that it’s “okay” to continue.  (Until that third one runs across one day!)”
-Katie, Customer Service

“Always have a firm handshake.”
-KJ, Key Accounts

“My dad was a man of very few words and I learned from him over the years by simply watching what he would do rather than what he would say.  He treated everyone with respect, therefore, he was respected.  He was indeed a legendary dad.”
-Joel, Sales Manager

We’d love to know what you’ve learned from your father in the comments below.  In the meantime, Happy Father’s Day to all the great dads out there!

Looking for that perfect Father’s Day gift?

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It’s soon to be Father’s Day…and if you’re scratching your head as to what to get the deserving man in your life, don’t worry.  We’ve got you covered.

We’ve just added some all new colors to our popular Deck Shirts – in a lighter weight than our flannels or twills, these shirts are as versatile as they are fashionable.  Choose from the blue hue of Lagoon, or the warm and woodsy look of Sequoia.  Either way, the man in your life will be a statement of outdoors style!

 

 

For the guy on the go, try one of our all-new wool and waxed cotton bags.  The Sidekick is Stormy’s take on the popular messenger bag style, while the Night-Timer, our new rugged overnight bag, works just as well in a hotel as it does in a tent. Both come in four colorways, including our classic red and black plaid.

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Of course, you can never go wrong with one of our classic caps, even if it is the middle of June.  With your help, Dad will be prepared well in advance of this fall and winter.  After all, aren’t we expecting a heck of a winter after last year’s mild days?  Try one of our all new offerings – like the Original in Adirondack Plaid, or the Waxed Cotton in Black.

Would your Dad enjoy one of these new products?  Is he already a Kromer fan?  We’d love to hear your best “Dad” stories here in the comments.

 

 

 

Featured Retailer: Duluth Pack

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If you’ve never heard of Duluth Pack, it’s okay.
You’ve probably just never been outside.

If you’re not the type to venture beyond the wilds of your own backyard, it’s all right. The Duluth Pack Store can outfit you with every bit of gear you need to take on places like the Boundary Waters.

Or, shoot, you can just sit in the store and feel outdoorsy enough.

Named after its Duluth Pack, a cavernous canvas and leather camping satchel patented in 1882 and stitched in the same Duluth (MN) factory for 101 years, the store caters to hikers and campers who want the gear that will keep them alive out in the wilderness plus allow them to look good when the forest rangers finally find their bodies.

We’re kidding, of course, but Duluth Pack gear has been a symbol of north woods ruggedness as long as the north woods have been a symbol of outdoor adventure.

But let’s say you’ve never stepped further outside than Central Park. That’s okay, too. The Duluth Pack Store is now selling to places like Barney’s of New York.

“It’s weird, but we’re hip,” said Laura Duenow, Apparel and Footwear Buyer for the Duluth Pack Store. “We’ve been selling a very traditional product for a very long time, but because we’ve been able to blend modern style with traditional function, we’ve got this cool, Americana following.”

Just like, she says, Stormy Kromer.

“We’ve always carried Kromer caps,” added Duenow, “but the outdoor customer is more savvy than ever, and Stormy Kromer adapted and expanded its apparel line to fit them. When we saw that, we knew we had to sell it.”

And last year, they were the world’s second-largest seller of Kromer goods.

“We offer our customers an experience they can’t get in the big-box franchises,” added Duenow. “It’s a destination, not just an outdoor store.”

She couldn’t be more right. Duluth Pack sits in Duluth’s famous Canal Park district, which welcomes 3.5 million out-of-town visitors each year—many of whom stop at the store as a starting point for their wilderness vacation.

“We give them fashion-forward function, and Stormy Kromer understands what that’s all about. Those are the kind of brands our customers want.”

You just have to go out and get them. Or at least visit www.duluthpack.com.

Featured Retailer: Yoder Department Store

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If you can’t find it at Yoder’s, there’s a pretty good chance you don’t need it.

The U.S. Census Bureau lists the population of Shipshewana, Indiana, at 658, which is roughly the same number of people who’ll be in line in front of you, waiting to get into the Yoder Department Store parking lot. Yep. People who need stuff, get stuff here.

“It’s not uncommon in the summer for folks to wait ten, maybe fifteen minutes to park their car,” said Andre Yoder, the third-generation general manager of this little town’s massive mercantile. “The flee market and auction across the street can draw up to 10,000 people in a two-day stretch, and a lot of them stop by because they know what we have to offer.”

What Yoder’s has to offer isn’t so much a step back in time—you’ll find all the latest clothing styles mixed in with tons of traditional favorites—it’s just that the style of service customers enjoyed decades ago is still thriving here.

Take, for example, the fact that second-generation owner Janet Yoder started working at the store when she was 13 and just recently retired at the age of 77. Many of the current employees, too, have been working here for more than 10, 20 or even 30 years. These are people who know how to treat a customer.

And if, for some reason, you want eight pairs of jeans with a 66-inch waist and they only have five (they really do have this size, by the way, and they have that many in stock), they’ll get them for you. Pronto.

That’s service you don’t see all that often.

“People come here to be taken care of and because they’ll find quality products at fair prices,” added Yoder. “Those are the same reasons we carry Stormy Kromer: great apparel, good prices, made in America. Those things matter here.”

As if to prove the point, Yoder’s menswear/work apparel manager, Tim Hethcote, recalled the story of a fellow who stopped in to get his son-in-law a gift. “He bought a couple Stormy Kromer flannel shirts, took them home, gave into temptation, tried them on, and kept them,” said Hethcote. “He eventually bought his son-in-law something else.”

No doubt he found it at Yoder’s.