My name is Linda and that’s me in the photo above. I never dreamed that I would ever have a hat shop, let alone one that is celebrating it’s 29th anniversary on 9/9/24. The first hat I wore was my school uniform hat back in England. I’ll show you a photo of it later on our Instagram. Anyway, when we moved to the USA in 1970 I purchased my first hat at a place called Hit or Miss. I loved it to death. Then in the 1980’s I wore a sailor hat bought at Canal Jeans. From that moment on people bought me hats as gifts. My first serious hat was a Bicorne by Kirsten Woodward bought for me by my friend Paul Ruddock. Even though throughout the 80’s I was working in Reinsurance I wore a hat every day. One day in 1990 I quit/got fired from my job and became a bartender at Temple Bar…the most sophisticated bar in New York at the time…they brought back the martini, we wore tuxedos and we had a blast.

After the the third year at Temple Bar I started to think what I should do about a career. I took lots internships, classes and those career tests. Nothing helped. Then one day I was standing behind the bar and it was as if a shaft of light hit my brain…”I love bartending but was else do I love?” Hats! Here I had been searching everywhere and it was right on top of my head. It took 2 years to find the right space and a great deal of fear. I think the scariest day of my life was actually opening the door to the shop. I had so much help from a whole network of friends and they were all extremely supportive.

About a year after I opened the shop an artist friend came by and said he liked one of my hats so I said “why don’t we do a trade? You paint my portrait and I will give you a hat”. That conversation triggered a long forgotten memory. In 1974 when I was 16 I came to Soho with Mrs. Ehrich’s art class. I loved it: the artists, the place, the art. I said to myself I am going to live and work here. Well…I went off to study Political Science and English and ended up working 10 years in an office. However, 20 years later I opened my shop. So you see your teenage dreams can come true. I’m living proof. And hey! If I can do it, you can do it!

SO WHAT IS THE HAT SHOP?

The Hat Shop combines the wide selection found in department stores with the custom service of a millinery shop. The shop's collection features its own label as well as the work of up to 15 local milliners.

Our staff provides personal attention and is sensitive to the concerns of both the first time hat buyer and the self-confessed "hat addict". The hats can be ordered in a variety of colors and trim and are made to each customer's size.  When matching you with the perfect hat we take into account your facial type, life style and occasion.

The Hat Shop's 28 years of business experience is based on 5 principles: a quality product, product expertise, honesty, outstanding customer service and a deep passion for hats!

You are in expert hands when you buy a chapeau from The Hat Shop!