On June 7th, 2017 Mike Wolfe traveled to Cleveland, Ohio where he visited the winners of his “This Place Matters” contest, the Historic Variety Theatre.
In partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the “This Place Matters” campaign invited Mike’s friends, fans and followers across the country to submit photos of buildings significant to them and their communities and in need of life-saving repair and restoration. The campaign generated a wide and enthusiastic response, with submissions ranging from old private homesteads to dilapidated public spaces, and after careful consideration of the many #placestosave, the Variety Theatre was chosen to win a visit from Mike.
Mike was welcomed to Cleveland by an enthusiastic crowd and a group of city officials who took him on a private tour of the theater and the city block-sized complex that will soon house restaurants, retail spaces, and offices. Shortly after, he spoke for about 10 minutes to the crowd and to his millions of followers through LIVE videos and photos, expressing his appreciation for the community’s support for the ongoing project. he also talked about his own passion for preserving America’s history and the buildings that tell the stories.
“Heritage tourism is one of the important things we can all lean into nowadays. This isn’t just a project for the neighborhood. It’s a project for the entire city of Cleveland,” he said. “When you walk into an old building like the Variety Theatre it’s something that never leaves you. You become a child all over again. You want to touch and explore everything. There’s so much of that wonder here. That experience is going to be had again thanks to the heartfelt commitment of this community.”
As a thank you, the Variety Theatre board named him the honorary chairman for the capital campaign to raise the remaining amount needed for the eight-figure restoration of the early 1900s theater.
“No one has ever given up on this theater,” said Mike. “You have one or two people who truly believed in this and everyone around them said ‘ I want to be a part of that.’ That’s what ‘This Place Matters’ was about and that’s why this place matters.”
The Variety Theatre’s anticipated completion date is 2019.
Tackle your weekend projects in our vintage motor oil style tee!
Thank you for the “wrap-up” article on The Historic Variety Theatre, Sarah Buckholtz! I’m so glad I entered it into this national contest. It was a thrill to win & to have taken part in something so meaningful. Having Mike there raised the bar in bringing further awareness to the cause of restoration & revitalization in not only Cleveland, Ohio, but to America’s cities & towns through his fan base. It was a day filled with inspiration & hope. I know The Variety Theatre would be honored to have Two Lanes, Mike Wolfe, & Team Antique Archeology revisit after it’s completion in its goal year of 2019. May others continue to strive to save the places that matter to their community. Thank you again for everything!
Mike: My husband and I watch your show all the time. We love to watch you and Frank look for something special as you travel all those back roads of the United States.
I emailed your Nashville store, as I live in northeast Tennessee concerning some items we have for sale. We would love to hear from you.
Email is the best way to reach us, Connie. We get a high volume of them too so sit tight! Looking forward to seeing the items. Thanks!
The work Mike is doing to rehab older properties or sections of cities is so valuable. I hope he continues to be passionate about theses
important pieces of our past.
Your show is awesome! To see some of the artifacts you guys pull out of places is amazing! Danielle s awesome at her job, but she used to be super hot… before she made her hair grey. Frank needs to eases up on the bitchin about prices and trying to rip people off but the show ROCKS overall. Thanks for the joyous episodes.
Mike, we love, love your show. The quips between you and Frank are so interesting. You educate us while we are enjoying your hunting for that perfect piece of Rust.
What we do not like is… Roberts narrative during the show. We can see that you and Frank are in the truck or getting out of the truck. We do not need someone treating us as though we are retarded. Get Robert a real job and quit the yak yak that is NOT necessary.
You and Frank keep on junking, cus we love you.
Thank you Mike & Frank.
You both have America up and moving. Keeping this great countries past alive and blooming. From old buildings to an old oil can or wooden bicycle wheel the seed has been planted and is growing. We will be riding our Harleys from Massachusetts to Alabama in September and are making a stop in to see your shop in Nashville. Hope to see you there.
Ride safe.
Love your show. I have seen episode several times over. PLEASE let Danille go on more picks. Cannot get enough of her. Shes very funny and not to mention, drop-dead gorgous!!! Thank you.
Have vintage, collectables & antiques to sell. One is a 1912 RCA victrola. Still works. How do we contact American Pickers to see if interested?
Here you go —-> https://www.antiquearchaeology.com/got_stuff.php
I love love love your show, I watch every episode I can. If you ever decide to get a theme song, I know the perfect one.
Jerry Lee Lewis – A Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On…
I love what you do and the interest you are bringing to young people. You have also helped so many antique dealers who were ready to close because of peole’s loss of interest-back. I have watched each show I know what you will pay before you get it
Of course some of the best episodes are the ones where people will not sell great things even though they call you. JUST KEEP PICKIN!!
I have watched your show and have seen every episode…many times over but my favorite one is Mole Man…when he takes you soooooo far underground and walking on planks. My husband and I can still hear him saying” Don’t knock ground down”. There was a rumor this was your last year…….true or false. I’m torn on that because you guys are great pickers but I also know you have a wife and daughter that need you. Good luck on whatever you decide. I have all your episodes on cds so I can watch you anytime Thanks for a great show…..Freda Luciano
Gday Mike, Frank and Danielle, I live in Melbourne Australia, my name is Peter your show has been on here for the last 8 months I think.Your show is grouse (thats aussie for super fantastic) all the shows are years old but that’s all right, cause its grouse to watch. You all are just BRILLANT, They showed us EPISODES a little while ago how you gave those blokes(guys) money back for the good price you got on the stuff when you sold it, that was just grouse mate just grouse. I hope live is going really great for you all. I would like to no, if me and lovee (Gosia) come over next year around April, can we please meet you all . Your show is on here at 6pm-7pm Mon to Thursday? Hope to hear from you soon, all the very best take care. Peter and Gosia
You are welcome in LeClaire and Nashville anytime! We’ll leave a light on for y’all. Safe travels and hope to shake your hand soon!