In an era of high tech gadgets galore, who would have ever guessed that a more than 100 year old plaid winter cap would rank as the “Coolest Thing Made in Michigan.” Nevertheless, it’s true. Three hundred of the state’s most influential industry leaders were in attendance the night before Michigan’s first snowfall of the season as Stormy Kromer and the Original Stormy Kromer Cap claimed the title of “Coolest Thing Made in Michigan.”
Announced during the second annual Manufacturing Excellence Awards, the “Coolest Thing Made in Michigan” People’s Choice Award was the culmination of a months-long social media campaign narrowing a wide variety of Michigan-made products down to a competitive Top 10 before the winner was revealed live on-stage by the Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA), MLive and the Luminous Group.
Gina Thorsen is President of Stormy Kromer — a division of Jacquart Fabric Products. She says, “I speak for every member of our team when I say thank you for this honor; it means the world to us that Michigan loves our Stormy Kromer cap as much as we love to make it.” Thorsen adds, “High-quality apparel can be hard to find and winter wear especially can be viewed as disposable. We believe different — if it’s cool and it’s made in Michigan, it deserves to last a lifetime and we’re thrilled to see our caps continuing to impress more than a hundred years after the first one came to life.”
The globally recognized cap, made by Jacquart Fabric Products in the Upper Peninsula community of Ironwood, is a unique six-panel hat hand-stitched by some of the world’s best craftspeople. Rich, warm and wonderfully-fitted, the cap has been available since 1903 and continues to build on its legacy of being the one piece of winter apparel every person has to own.
Chuck Hadden is President & CEO of the Michigan Manufacturers Association. He says, “When you talk about ‘cool’ and ‘Michigan-made,’ the competition is intense; Michigan manufacturers innovate on a scale rivaling anything found in the world and they do it while utilizing the world’s best talent and finest quality.” Hadden notes, “The original Stormy Kromer cap is iconic in its look and has survived and thrived through countless Michigan winters to become an accessory every Michigander wants to have. I congratulate the entire Stormy Kromer team on creating not just a cool product, but the ‘Coolest Thing Made in Michigan.’”
The iconic Stormy Kromer Cap and an array of other Stormy Kromer products are sold in downtown St. Joseph at Purely Michigan, located at 406 State Street, a couple of doors down from The Buck Burgers & Brew. Purely Michigan owner Erik Youngquist couldn’t wait to stock the Stormy line when he acquired the business a couple of years ago. In fact, just yesterday as he was watching the weather reports for overnight and today he posted a picture of himself in Stormy gear on his Facebook page and this message: Stormy (Kromer) Weather quickly approaching. Are you ready? Great new selection of men’s and women’s hats & mittens. New this year Kritter Kromer hats and jackets for your furry family members.
When Youngquist learned of Stormy’s new honor he said, “Coolest thing made in Michigan? That doesn’t surprise me! You can’t beat a classic! Everybody who puts one on feels the connection, and you become part of something bigger.” He says that during the first cool days this fall he sold out of the hats, and fortuitously just restocked two days ago with new styles.” He strongly suggests if you want one, you’d better get in fast. Erik adds, “The popularity in St. Joe is based on a brotherhood of sorts. You see somebody wearing the cap you know you could strike up a conversation or have a beer with them.”
The full list of Top 10 finalists for “Coolest Thing” included:
- Motorized Carts, Amigo Mobility International
- Excalibur Elite Windshield Pontoon, Avalon & Tahoe Manufacturing
- Snack Foods, Better Made
- Founders Beer, Founders Brewing Company
- The Full Display Mirror, Gentex Corporation
- Hudsonville Ice Cream, Hudsonville Ice Cream
- Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, Jiffy Mix
- Koegel Viennas, Koegel Meats
- Sanders Bumpy Cake, Sanders & Morley Candy Makers
- The Original Stormy Kromer Cap, Stormy Kromer
The Manufacturing Excellence Awards also featured the presentation of the Manufacturing Lifetime Achievement Award to Harry Leaver, executive director of the Central Michigan Manufacturers Association, and Al Glick, owner of Jackson-based Alro Steel, and many other awards for leadership, talent development, innovation and community impact.
