Like Father, Like Son: Midwest Clothiers Begins Its Next Chapter with Adam Sitzmann

Tim Sitzmann and Adam Sitzmann during a recent visit to Stenströms in Copenhagen, Denmark, one of Mr. B's longstanding brand partners.

Midwest Clothiers is entering its next generation of family leadership as Adam Sitzmann steps into ownership of the company, joining his father, Tim Sitzmann, in helping guide the future of the business.

The transition comes as longtime owner Wayne Graham begins stepping back after more than 60 years as one of the region’s most influential figures in men’s retail. Known for his financial discipline, steady leadership, and quiet influence behind the scenes, Graham helped build and guide menswear businesses across Iowa and the Midwest.

That work is most visibly carried forward today through Mr. B Clothing, where Tim Sitzmann has spent much of his career serving customers inside the store, becoming one of its most recognizable faces and helping build the reputation for personal service, expert guidance, and long-term relationships that separates Midwest Clothiers from ordinary retail.

Midwest Clothiers, parent company of Mr. B Clothing and HENRY’s, formerly The Backroom, has earned the trust of generations of customers by helping men dress with confidence for business, weddings, special events, and everyday life.

Mr. B Clothing has outfitted some of Iowa’s most successful men, from business executives and doctors to lawyers, politicians, professional athletes, and men in finance. HENRY’s, which stands for High Earners, Not Rich Yet, gives men a more accessible way to step up their wardrobe with better fit, sharper style, and personal attention at a more approachable price point.

For Adam, the transition is both personal and professional. A graduate of Ankeny High School and the University of Iowa, Adam has been around Midwest Clothiers since he was 12 years old, watching his father help carry the business forward and learning firsthand what it means to put the customer first.

“This has always been part of the dream,” said Adam Sitzmann. “I see this as a duty and a stewardship responsibility to carry forward what has already been built while bringing new energy, new tools, and new opportunities into the future.”

Adam has spent much of his career in the menswear industry, most recently living in the Chicago area with his wife and two young sons. As part of this transition, Adam and his family are relocating back to the Des Moines area, where they are excited to plant roots, enroll their children in school this fall, and become more fully involved in the community they have long considered home.

Under Adam’s leadership, customers can expect continuity in what matters most: trusted relationships, thoughtful guidance, strong product selection, and the kind of in-person experience that has defined Midwest Clothiers for generations.

“We’re here to stay,” Adam said. “The level of care customers have come to expect will remain the cornerstone of this business.”

Adam also brings extensive experience from the wholesale side of the luxury menswear industry, where he has spent years working alongside some of the world’s most respected family-owned brands, manufacturers, and textile mills. Those relationships provide Midwest Clothiers with unique access to premium product, innovation, and opportunities that few independent retailers can match.

“This business has always been about serving people,” Adam said. “Whether someone is preparing for a wedding, a business meeting, a promotion, a vacation, or one of life’s most important moments, we want them to feel confident, cared for, and at their best.”

Adam also emphasized that the strength of Midwest Clothiers has always been its people. From its experienced sales professionals to its tailoring team and longtime staff members, the business is built on expertise that is increasingly rare in today’s retail environment.

“The team absolutely means everything,” Adam said. “Without the team that is already in place, I would not have the confidence and vision that I have. Their experience, relationships, and commitment are what make this business special.”

Adam expressed deep gratitude for Wayne Graham, his dad, and the many employees who have helped build Midwest Clothiers into a respected local institution.

“What Wayne and my dad have built is the foundation that makes this future possible,” Adam said. “I’m humbled to have the opportunity to carry it forward.”

For Midwest Clothiers, this next chapter is about more than a change in ownership. It is a renewed commitment to the people, craftsmanship, relationships, and standards that have defined the business, and a promise to carry them forward for years to com.