Stuart Weaver has worked a thousand feet above the Arctic Circle, where steel groans in the cold and mistakes are unforgiving. Compared to that, a design-and-fabrication shop in Kalamazoo might seem quiet. But nothing about Weavers Unlimited is tame.
On any given day, Weaver might be shaping a one-off fender for a classic car, building a custom motorcycle gas tank, or fabricating a keg-and-grill hybrid that steals the spotlight at Bud Light tailgates nationwide. That viral crowd-pleaser — the Traegrator — was born in his shop, complete with Weaver’s ingenious pop-top beer can opener. It’s the kind of detail that defines his work: clever, precise, and unforgettable.
The business has grown through community as much as craftsmanship. Weaver struck up a conversation with his landlord, Jeb Gast, owner of Jericho Town — a hub of makers and small businesses housed in renovated historic buildings once home to the Ford Buggy Company. Gast, himself a customer of Northern Initiatives, encouraged Weaver to explore financing.
“I’d never done a business plan,” Weaver admits. “But (Commercial Lender) Venard Roberson was patient and showed me what to fix.” That support helped Weaver prepare to bring on partners and employees — two of each, he’s planning — while building what he calls an “ecosystem” across Michigan. A key collaboration is with Detroit Metalshaping. By blending traditional technique with advanced technology, Weaver is “producing one-off custom cars with an incredibly high standard,” said Joe McKeen on a recent episode of the Automotive Artistry podcast.
One of those cars is pure legend: a Leelanau County barn find, the AMX III — one of just six prototypes ever made before AMC ditched the design. Weaver rebuilt its chassis in chromoly steel. “That car,” he laughs, “was one of the nails in American Motors Corporation’s coffin.”
As Weaver scales his business, guidance continues from mentors and Northern Initiatives Business Coach Cailin Kelly, who’s helped connect him with legal and financial expertise and navigate partnerships. From oil rigs to rare prototypes, Weaver is proving that the toughest work — and the boldest creativity — can thrive anywhere.
Stuart Weaver used to work on oil rigs in the north of Alaska, so a design and fabrication shop in Kalamazoo could feel a little tame. But Weavers Unlimited is, well, unlimited.
On any given day, Weaver may be making a one-of-a-kind fender for a classic car, a custom gas tank for a motorcycle or a brilliant keg/grill combo that gets top billing at Bud Light tailgates around the country. The Traegrator came to life in Weaver’s shop, and thankfully includes his brilliant idea for a pop top on the beer can.
Weavers Unlimited just keeps growing, thanks to connections Stuart has made with . He talked to the owner of his building, Jeb Gast of Jericho Town, also a Northern Initiatives customer. Jericho Town houses multiple other creative types and small businesses in renovated historical buildings that originally housed the Ford Buggy Company on Fulford Street. After Gast told him about funding from Northern Initiatives, Weaver started getting everything together. “I’d never done anything like a business plan, but Venard (Roberson, commercial lender) was patient and let me know what to fix.”
The money is helping him get ready to bring in partners and employees; he’s aiming for two of each. He’s “building an ecosystem” around the state, including a robust partnership with Detroit Metalshaping. Combining technique and technology, Weaver is “producing one-off-build custom cars with a high standard,” said Joe Mckeen, owner of Detroit Metalshaping, in a recent episode of the Automotive Artistry podcast.
One of those custom cars is a barn find from Leelanau County that is basically a dream come true for a creative guy like Weaver. It’s an AMXIII, one of only six ever made before they abandoned the design. “That car was actually one of the nails in AMC’s coffin,” Weaver smiles. He remade the chassis out of chromide steel; it’s featured at the top of his Instagram page.
As Weaver navigates the business world, he’s being guided by several mentors and associates, as well as Northern Initiatives Business Coach Cailin Kelly, who has recommended lawyers and CPAs, and met with prospective partners as they work through operating agreements. He’s also used Initiate, Northern Initiatives’ online learning portal, to research financial terms and perform a business self-assessment.
