Strolling through the three floors of Chaloner’s Cigar House evokes a curious sense of both the contemporary and the nostalgic. Trumpeting jazz notes reverberate over rough brick and smooth leather before sinking softly into your glass of whiskey. Delicate scents, both earthy and sweet, pleasantly surround you but, fortunately, don’t leave with you. Settling into a comfortable chair on a Friday night, you’ll hear the laughter of other patrons relaxing and enjoying one of America’s dying art forms: the art of conversation.
The History
As thousands of men traveled the rugged road west in 1874 in search of fortune in the Black Hills of the Dakota territory, Charles A. Chaloner opened a small cigar and magazine store in Adrian, Michigan. For the next 103 years, the Chaloner family provisioned tobacco, popcorn, roasted nuts, and thousands of periodicals for their loyal patrons of all ages. When the family sold the store in 1977, it changed hands several times through the decades and closed in 2015 after 141 years of serving the community.
“Think about that for a minute. Chaloner’s predated the invention of the telephone, the creation of Coca Cola and the building of the Eiffel Tower. It spanned the terms of 27 U.S. Presidents, survived two World Wars, a Spanish Flu epidemic, and a Great Depression!” shared David Pilmore, President of Adrian Steel, one of the driving forces behind the renovation of the historic building.
As the world persevered through wars, cultural uprisings, and tumultuous political seasons, Chaloner’s remained the same. Children who stopped for an after-school treat became adults who took their children to enjoy the experience and atmosphere. Chaloner’s endured in spite of the exodus of many businesses out of the downtown Adrian area in the later part of the 20th century, and it welcomed businesses back when they slowly began to return at the beginning of 21st century. For many residents, Chaloner’s holds some of their fondest memories.
Revitalization
“After the store had sat empty for over a year, and after being inspired by other local investors including Joe Ann Steele, Dave and Kim Horstman, Doug Kapnick and Steve Hickman, Dr. Jeff Docking, and the leaders of the Croswell Renovation, we wanted to contribute to downtown Adrian’s renaissance,” shared Dr. Scott Westfall, whose grandfather, an All-American football player and team captain at the University of Michigan, founded Adrian Steel Company.
The idea for renovating Chaloner’s began at La Casa De La Habana in Detroit, where Pilmore, Westfall, Docking, and Frank Hribar of Adrian College, had a lengthy discussion regarding the revitalization happening in downtown Adrian.
“We spoke about the importance of local businesses getting involved. Adrian College had recently announced that it was renovating the original YMCA, creating apartments for coaches and professors. Scott loves history and I love cigars. Scott approached me about the Chaloner’s building that was listed for sale. That’s how the vision started,” remembered Pilmore. “Then we put together an amazing team that made that vision a reality.”
The vision, while honoring the extensive history of the establishment, also included a new approach that would focus on a type of experience not available in the Lenawee County area. The first floor now includes a large walk-in humidor as well as a retail space that offers Chaloner’s famous popcorn, candy, cigar accessories, and Chaloner’s memorabilia. The second and third floor are home to the Cigar House, featuring a bar and many comfortable areas to relax and enjoy a peaceful moment or a pleasant conversation with friends. The third floor also includes an atrium for non-smoking guests that showcases a glimmering water feature and plenty of light streaming through the glass ceiling.
“People will still go downtown for a meal, drink, and entertainment but they really want an experience. Therefore, we want to do everything we can to make downtown Adrian a destination for local residents as well as bring in visitors from other areas,” said Pilmore. “We’ve had visitors tell us that there is no other place like this anywhere else in the country. We aren’t getting benchmarked against other small businesses, we are being benchmarked against New York, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Washington D.C.”
Today’s Employee Attraction Landscape
The dramatic change in the economy of the region, let alone the United States, has demanded a new kind of creativity. For companies to attract talented employees, they have to be more than the source of a paycheck and step beyond the business practices that became the standard during the industrial revolution and late 20th century. Companies in Silicon Valley realized this at the turn of the century when the “war” for talented employees peaked in intensity.
“So many great companies are growing and hiring that there’s no reason to stay with a company if you are unhappy or think your potential is being wasted. You can quit, knowing that ten other companies will be lining up to hire you,” said former Google and Apple executive Kim Scott in her book, Radical Candor.
Not only do relationships and management practices matter now more than they ever have, location plays a key factor as well.
“We’ve been hearing it for many years now from our local businesses and our economic development colleagues. Quality of life in our communities is vital to attracting and retaining talented employees,” said Jim Van Doren, Executive Director of Lenawee Now. “Employees want great restaurants, shopping, outdoor and cultural opportunities where they choose to live and work.”
When people consider a job, the amenities of the community matter more than ever. “Quality of place” was the single most important source of civic satisfaction in a major Gallup survey. Today, the more opportunities and experiences an area can offer, the more likely their businesses are going to attract employees that will live in that area.
“We know that from a talent standpoint, it’s harder and harder to get the level of talent we need from the professional fields,” said Pilmore. “More of the employees we’ve hired have come from outside of Lenawee County. We also are seeing that many of our professional employees don’t live in Lenawee County.”
“We know that when employees are considering a job change, they don’t just look at the benefits package anymore. The amenities of the area now play a key factor in that decision-making process,” said Jim Van Doren, Executive Director of Lenawee Now. “Chaloner’s is another opportunity for our companies to demonstrate to potential employees that Lenawee County is a great place to work, live, and play.”
“Any business that is having growth and is struggling to bring in talent should be concerned about improving the amenities in our community,” said Pilmore.
Building on the past to improve the future
“This area is rich in history, natural resources, and people. There is a goodness about Lenawee County – embedded in its family values and Midwest work ethic that you can’t find just anywhere,” shared Westfall. “We hope that bringing back a place that generated over 140 years’ worth of memories, can show the next generation that it’s often what’s rooted in your past which helps you build towards your future.”
In the short time since it’s opened, Chaloner’s has seen an influx of patrons, both from local areas as well as areas outside of Lenawee County.
“We wanted to create something that would bring people in from outside the community.
And, when they come here, it gets them to think about wanting to invest in Adrian,” said Pilmore. “If this helps bring other businesses and investments to the area, we will have succeeded.”