Don Peterka, the founder of Detroit Tiki Co., has been a graphic designer and illustrator for years. He produced a series of cartoons about the street people of Detroit, he has directed a film, his photography captures the true essence of the people he meets during his journeys, and his Christmas cards—featuring him and his wife Betty—are classics.
But Don finally feels validated as an artist now that Detroit Tiki Co. is taking off and his fan base is growing. One look at his hand-cast sculptures, that he develops into a variety of different products, and anyone who enjoys the allure of the tiki culture is hooked!
We had a chance to chat with Don about his business and what has gone into making it successful. Here’s what he had to say.
Tell us about Detroit Tiki Company. What fascinates you about tikis? What prompted you to make a business out of it?
I grew up down the street from Chin’s restaurant, which had two giant palm wood tikis out front that are still there today. I’d walk past these carvings and would be transported to another world. I always loved the nostalgic part of tiki bars and I’m so glad it came back! The beginnings of our business all started when my wife and I went to downtown Detroit, and I saw a large cement tiki at an antique store. Before I could procure it someone else was already in the process of buying it. That night I scoured the internet in hopes of finding another but instead stumbled onto a tiki forum which gave tips on how to carve your own cement tikis. It was only a matter of time before the idea popped in my head that I should turn this into a business with the goal of putting an affordable, cool tiki in every household.
How are people reacting to your tikis?
The idea of selling tikis bubbled up here and there but only when I got furloughed during the pandemic did I really start putting it all together. We did antique shows and the response was enormous. In fact, the reaction was so great that when I got my job back, we continued with this side business. To this day we do at least six shows a summer with people telling us heartwarming stories on how their parents would bring them to tikis bars as children and how cool our tikis are!
You make the molds yourself. How difficult was that to perfect?
If you ask any mold maker, this process can be very stressful. But with practice you get perfection or at least as close as you can. Though we sell castings it all starts with a master which I carve out of cement and every tiki is unique with its pockmarks and stain treatment that comes with the process. Cement works for our Midwest climate since it can stay outside unlike wooden tikis that must be sealed or will start to rot.
Tell us about your product line.
We sell large, medium, and small cement tikis of various styles. We have tikis that have a tiki torch canister sunken into their heads that can also be removed and be replaced with a plant! We also have custom mai tai glasses, small lamps, and my wife, who is a jeweler by trade, makes tikis necklaces in bronze or silver which even have a secret compartment that can hold emergency medication, keepsakes, etc…
You said you go to a lot of trade shows. Tell us about that experience.
The tiki culture is one of the friendliest groups of people you will meet. Everyone is there to enjoy themselves and it doesn’t hurt that tiki drinks are a big part of the scene as well. People love telling us stories and how much they love our tikis. In fact, just last week a mother told us the last time she bought a small tiki from us her two-year-old son would carry it around and even sleep with it instead of his stuffed animals. If that doesn’t make your day, I’m not sure what will!
As a Dark Dog Posse sponsor, why is helping animals important to you?
I grew up with animals. Though not on a farm and in fact within a very small house it was filled with cats, dogs, birds, and even lizards among many other pets. My mother instilled in me respect, compassion, and empathy for animals. Many pets and animals need our help either by their situation or loss of habitat and what you’re doing is such a great service!
Anything else you’d like to add?
We are honored to be a sponsor for Dark Dog Posse and to help your cause!