News from The Western Vault

Last week, I spent an afternoon with Western Vault member Gary Cohen of The Hat Store. His store is packed from wall to wall with history and traditions. I wish I could have stayed longer to hear more stories of his family's business.

It goes back nearly a century to when downtown Houston had dirt roads and wooden sidewalks. Visitors could tie their horses to the hitching post outside before going in to find a perfect new hat at the original American Hat Company. It was Gary's grandfather's store then, but it wasn't just a business. It was a studio where a talented artist put great care and detail into making and shaping the hats that defined the Texas business man and cowboy. Gary's grandfather, dad, and uncle made hats for Gene Autry, Lyndon Johnson, Roy Rogers, the Lone Ranger, Humphrey Bogart, and a

number of other celebrities. Every part of the process was done by hand, and it still is now. Gary still steams, irons, cleans, shapes, and makes his hats using special trade tools, but no machines. What an art!

Gary & his wife, Liz, founded their new store, The Hat Store, in 1981. They have been running the business in their location on Richmond Ave. for the past thirty years. Pictures of visitors line the wall including Brooks & Dunn, ZZ Top, Lyle Lovett, Clint Black, Patrick Swayze, and Alabama. In fact, the manager of ZZ Top ordered 30 straw hats from Gary as they were making their start on the road. Gary handshaped them with the tall crown and sharply dipped, 3" brim that became a defining part of the ZZ Top concert act. Gary has also made hats worn by President George H. Bush & Slim Pickens.

Gary pointed out one hat he has hanging on the wall behind the counter. It is a gray felt hat that is held together by toothpicks and a few stitches around the crown. Gary told me the story of an old friend that bought it from him years back as a brand new hat. When he finally retired it, he sent it back to Gary in an envelope as flat as a pancake. Attached was a note that Gary keeps paperclipped to the brim. It hangs on the wall as a representation of what true friendship really is.

Gary and his team at The Hat Store take pride in their business, and they very well should. It is a place you will always feel welcome and at home. Charlotte will meet you at the door, Gary will shape your hat to perfection, and you will leave with it wrapped in a new hat box complete with a hand-tied ribbon. He will also reshape, clean, and fix your old hats. No matter what, he tells every customer that leaves his shop, "Thanks a million." I only hope that I treat my business and customers with as much friendliness, sincerity, and gratitude as Gary treats his at The Hat Store.