Last week I embarked on another 2-½ week tour of the Midwest. But before I get started, just a quick question: WHO STOLE ALL THE WAFFLE HOUSES? You’d think somebody’d have the decency to open one. Not a single location in OH, MI, WI, or IL.

I arrived late Tuesday night in Cleveland, checked into room 213 at the Clarion Hotel, and immediately ordered a pizza from Papa John’s. The thing was MIA for 2 hours until I learned it was delivered to room 213 at the Marriott!

The next morning I drove to the charming town of Chagrin Falls, where I dropped in on Peter DiBlasi of Peter’s Store for Men. Peter was pressing at the time, so I had a few minutes. Checking out the downtown square, I noticed one block away was another men’s store, J.DiBlasi’s. Turns out the brothers DiBlasi enjoy a certain familial competition.

In Akron, I dropped in on John Cornacchione of Leody’s Clothing. After taking care of some Wellensteyn business, conversation shifted to one of John’s prize possessions, his vintage 1966 red Mustang. I didn’t have the heart to tell him I dinged his car door getting my samples out (not really). Although he was illegally parked in his own parking lot.

Next, I headed north to Rocky River where I visited Dan Varnadoe at Adesso. This store is a diamond in the rough. There are few retailers in Ohio that offer their customers such a wide array of top quality lines; Adesso’s include clothing from Pal Zileri and Gruppo Artigiani, Eton dress shirts, casual wear from Gardeur and International Laundry, and fragrances from Kiton and Tom Ford. Nice work Dan. And thanks for the double espresso (even though I couldn’t get to sleep till 3am).

Two blocks away at Fords Clothier, I had a great conversation with owner Paul Gorton (pictured, left). Like many retailers, Paul is intent on developing his online business. A great host, I am glad to be working with Paul in the future. And when he wasn’t looking I scooped up a bunch of his chocolates at the register—yum!

After a nondescript drive to Toledo, I checked into the Park Inn hotel. The parking lot was totally jammed. When I asked the front desk why? I was informed my stay coincided with the convention of the NADFA—the North American Deer Farmers Association. How do you farm a deer? Clearly a night to stay in my room, thus I was able to catch up on some reading.

After a breakfast of biscuits-n-gravy, I dropped by to say hello to Mike Brinker of Michael David, Ltd. (pictured, left), named after his two sons. Mike was happy to tell me about Touch shirting, a company that offers customers a chance to custom design their shirts—even if it’s only one unit. I noticed Mike was offering Southern Tide. I’ve noticed a number of retailers touting Southern Tide. Must be high tide at Southern Tide.

Pictured below: Pat from Manno Clothing with Lions coach Jim Schwartz.

Next up was a quick trip to Dearborn, Michigan, where I saw Pat at Manno Clothing. And what perfect timing! Pat informed me that the Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz would be dropping by any minute. And sure enough, in came Coach Schwartz. I was a bit uneasy knowing this man schemes to beat the Vikings twice a year. Overlooking that, Jim was a real gentleman and was very happy with his shirts from Manno. I tried to convince him he’d look great in purple, but he wouldn’t have any part of that.

I trekked across Detroit to meet with Randy Norman at Eli of Troy (pictured, below). Certainly one of the hardest working retailers I’ve met, Randy told me about an interesting line called Kāne'ohe, a shirt line that utilizes bamboo and cotton.

With an early Saturday morning appointment with Bruce and Mike at L’Uomo Vogue, I checked into the Marriott Courtyard where I sacked out pretty early. I must confess at this juncture of the tour, the hotel scene was getting redundant, especially when the evening’s excitement was double-checking the math on my orders. Hey, where’s my reality show?

Peeping in the front door at L’uomo Vogue at 8:30 Saturday morning, the lights flipped on and Bruce and Mike (pictured, left)greeted me. Talking while readying the store for the day’s business, Mike couldn’t say enough about how much he enjoyed the Chicago Collective. “I was able to work without hassles,” he told me. “It was a comfortable environment, and I’m excited to go back—especially in July when it won’t be freezing!”

As it turned out, Saturday was a pretty aggressive store-visiting day for me. In rapid succession, I dropped in on Mike Brow at Le Conte and Craig and Keith at Craig Ryan in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Mike is a great guy, and clearly very professional. Interestingly, his store featured an old fashion pinball machine. I thought for sure he would have held the all-time high score, but apparently not. He said its main purpose was to occupy his customers’ kids (and sales reps like me)

As for Craig and Keith (pictured, left), one couldn’t ask for a more hospitable environment. It was interesting to note they are augmenting their business with a few women’s pieces. After all, two out of three male customers have a lady with them.

The rest of my Saturday was spent driving to Traverse City, as I had an appointment with Joe Frost of Robert Frost Fine Footwear. Joe and his father run an excellent business with a second store in Petoskey. If anyone is interested in how to run an effective e-commerce business, look no further than RFFF.

I guess that’s about it for this blog. Stay tuned for my next entry as I visit more retailers in Illinois and Wisconsin, and resume my quest for a freakin’ Waffle House!

Thanks for reading and here’s to a great week for everyone!