• Thursday-What'sUP December 27 - 09:54 pm

While recently in Ironwood, Brenda Leigh decided to make a trek to the Stormy Kromer factory to check things out. But before we join her on the tour, I want to share a tidbit of information that she relayed, about the name of these unique winter hats. Even though they're made for inclement winter weather, the name has nothing to do with it being stormy at all. Rather, they're named after George Kromer who worked on the railroad for 45 years. He had such a bad temper, he was nicknamed Stormy and that became the name for the hats.

Back to Brenda and her tour... she walked there, via the snowmobile trail and encountered a number of signs, directing the way to the factory and Mercantile store, so she had no worries about finding her way there. Upon arrival, she of course was greeted with what I'm guessing is the LARGEST Stormy Kromer you'll ever see. What a great advertisement for their product.

Brenda said she was surprised when she entered the store to see so many items, other than the hats, as she had been under the assumption that the Stormy Kromer factory basically made just hats, but looking around inside, she discovered there were shirts, vests, hats, mittens, jackets and bags, all made of wool and crafted right here in the U.P. There were even wool koozies to keep your pop (soda) and adult beverages cold.

Not only did they have great products (which Brenda said she purchased a number of, spending more than she had intended), but they also offer a tour of the factory at 1:30 each day. However, they told her that if she wouldn't be able to make it back there for that time, they'd be happy to give her a tour right then...good ole Yooper attitude, to go along with their made in the U.P./USA product. Brenda said it was a grand feeling to see the pride in the workers and they were all so very friendly.

So if you're going to be passing through the Ironwood area, make sure you give yourself enough time to stop in at the Stormy Kromer factory and partake of some of their friendly hospitality and you might just find yourself sporting a new hat!

I remember having one of our pictures posted on here of the Stormy Kromer. Didn't think of taking pictures inside, though. However, we DID go inside and do a little shopping. It's a really nice store. I'll have to take a tour of the factory some time. Usually we're in such a hurry to get to Lake Linden, that we don't take the time out to stop to shop. But one of these times we're going to do just that. Thanks for sharing again, Brenda!

The ultimate Yooper hat!

Very apropos, considering we just got dumped on in SE-MI.

Deb, when I was on my way on that trail I was thinking of you and the nice photo that you took.
It is a grand place....awesome knowing all the merchandise in that nice store is made with lots of pride right here in the GOOD OLE U.P. The tour is a MUST.

To pasty.com thanks for the encouragement to stop and photograph all the wonderful spots in the GREAT U.P.

Ah-ha! The ol' "Stormer Kromer" hat!:>
Sorry, Charlie (and Mary), for bringing up old jokes....it's Brenda's fault for getting out there, snapping pics, and stirring up reminders. ;-)
Just kidding, Brenda, thanks for the neat photos this morning.

Copper World in Calumet carries all of the Stormy Kromer products.

I love my white stormy kromer with the bright pink flower...my
daughter has one too...also my sister and my husband (not the pink
and white one for him)...they are the best!

Getz's carry their products as well as Abelman's in Bessemer.

I love my Stormy Kromer hat! Ordered it online back in November and couldn't wait for Ole Man Winter to get here this year. He sure got here yesterday.

Wonder if 'Paul Bunyan' wore a Stormy Kromer? There's statue of 'him' in MN which shows a hat on 'his' head and it really looks like a "S-K" cap.;)

I am the prouder owner of two plaid Stormy Kromer caps. A regular one and the Ranch Style which just has larger ear flappers for colder and windier days. This came in handier for the 2012 Winter Carnival when the last day and night felt like about -10 with the windchiller as we watched the fireworks.

Brenda....FANTABULOUS....as always!!! You rock the Pasty~~!

Just saw a segment on the TV6 News about Stormy Kromer; they employ 155 people and plan to expand.

such great info & pics; this is now on my bucket
list!