I feel that I must share a most wonderful experience. This past Saturday my son and I made the hour long trek to go to Paul’s Pipe Shop and Pipe Hospital in Flint, MI. This was the first time that either of us had been there. Upon walking in, we were a bit overwhelmed with where to begin. It wasn’t long however before a fine gentleman came out from behind the counter to help us. I am certain that he sensed we had no idea where to start. I was later informed that the store had just shy of a million pipes on hand! An astounding collection of pipes indeed!
My son and I each picked out a pipe we liked, but wanted to continue looking. The gentleman helping us, took the pipes with him to clean them up for us (not that they needed it) as we kept looking around. The pipes we chose were Cayuga Pipes, which are made right there in the store. It seemed fitting to us that we support this local pipe maker and his shop. As we were looking around, someone came in off the streets, and stole the very pipe that my son had chosen. Apparently the gentleman from the store set it down and turned around for a moment, then shortly after realized that it was gone. This was of course, a very unfortunate turn of events for all involved. After we all recovered from this shocking turn of events, we did find a very similar pipe and moved forward.
Now the real fun began. In the course of our discussion, being a hobbyist woodworker myself, I had expressed an interest in how he made his pipes. To our surprise, the gentleman helping us offered to give us a tour of his workshop. Which for us was a real treat, and in itself made our visit an extraordinary experience. We visited every nook and cranny of his workshop and storage areas. And I mean we saw everything! (I do suggest calling these guys and finding out what they have to offer via mail.) This story, however, doesn’t end there.
The three of us then made our way to Paul’s Pipe Museum. The museum was centered around the 6-time World’s Pipe Smoking Champion, Paul Spaniola, and the things he collected through the years. Which by now we had discovered was this gentleman’s father. It was comprised of a large area upstairs, filled with pipe memorabilia, and we had a private tour! He then took the time to show us some beautiful pieces from his own personal pipe collection.
I must say that the experience we had was unforgettable. I would guess that we spent at least an hour on this tour, and chatting. I have never felt so welcomed by any store anywhere, particularly on a first visit there. And, I am certain that we will be back to visit again. My son and I didn’t just purchase a couple of pipes, we came home with something so much more. My son has not yet smoked his first pipe, and maybe he never will. He will however have a piece of a moment in time. That I believe he will always treasure. For that I have to give a heartfelt and hearty thank you to the gentleman that made that happen, Dan Spaniola of Paul’s Pipe Shop and Pipe Hospital.
My son and I each picked out a pipe we liked, but wanted to continue looking. The gentleman helping us, took the pipes with him to clean them up for us (not that they needed it) as we kept looking around. The pipes we chose were Cayuga Pipes, which are made right there in the store. It seemed fitting to us that we support this local pipe maker and his shop. As we were looking around, someone came in off the streets, and stole the very pipe that my son had chosen. Apparently the gentleman from the store set it down and turned around for a moment, then shortly after realized that it was gone. This was of course, a very unfortunate turn of events for all involved. After we all recovered from this shocking turn of events, we did find a very similar pipe and moved forward.
Now the real fun began. In the course of our discussion, being a hobbyist woodworker myself, I had expressed an interest in how he made his pipes. To our surprise, the gentleman helping us offered to give us a tour of his workshop. Which for us was a real treat, and in itself made our visit an extraordinary experience. We visited every nook and cranny of his workshop and storage areas. And I mean we saw everything! (I do suggest calling these guys and finding out what they have to offer via mail.) This story, however, doesn’t end there.
The three of us then made our way to Paul’s Pipe Museum. The museum was centered around the 6-time World’s Pipe Smoking Champion, Paul Spaniola, and the things he collected through the years. Which by now we had discovered was this gentleman’s father. It was comprised of a large area upstairs, filled with pipe memorabilia, and we had a private tour! He then took the time to show us some beautiful pieces from his own personal pipe collection.
I must say that the experience we had was unforgettable. I would guess that we spent at least an hour on this tour, and chatting. I have never felt so welcomed by any store anywhere, particularly on a first visit there. And, I am certain that we will be back to visit again. My son and I didn’t just purchase a couple of pipes, we came home with something so much more. My son has not yet smoked his first pipe, and maybe he never will. He will however have a piece of a moment in time. That I believe he will always treasure. For that I have to give a heartfelt and hearty thank you to the gentleman that made that happen, Dan Spaniola of Paul’s Pipe Shop and Pipe Hospital.
