Henry the Hatter closing a store

Browsing the web, I noticed on Henry the Hatters website that they are closing the retail store located in Hamtramck and offering (or so they say) deals on one-of-a-kinds, discontinued and odd lots. If you're close to the store, it may be worth a look-see...good luck

What a shame.

The last time I was in the Detroit store they were telling me that the Hamtamck store was a hatter that Henry's had bought. That it had been around since the 1890s or something like that.

I think my memory is correct on that.
Anyone have more info on that story?

Store Closing

Yes, it is true. Henry The Hatter is closing the Hamtramck Michigan location.

The stores in Detroit, and Southfield Michigan WILL REMAIN OPEN.

The retail district in Hamtramck, MI seems to be even worse than the surrounding communities.
In 1985, when Henry The Hatter purchased the store, the city of Hamtramck was a bustling town of European Immigrants, mainly of Polish decent. The entire 1 mile stretch of the main shopping district housed any type of store imaginable. All owned by “moms & pops” living above or behind the storefront.

The customer base at that time were the elderly polish gents coming in to get a new hat, or having a hat cleaned for church on Sunday.
As the population changed, many of the old stores gave way to not necessarily "Big Box" stores, but more of a cookie cutter, strip mall type stores. Today, the Joseph Campau shopping district is home to many Dollar Stores, Jewelry and Loan shops, and Wigs & Beauty supply stores.
Although Hamtramck is seeing a new influx of immigrants, mainly from the Middle East, they do not share in the headwear stylings that we carry.

As we have been told, without much documentation, The 9307 Joseph Campau location has always been a hat store. (Joseph Polchinski Hats - Est. 1919). Mr. Polchinski and his family had living quarters above the store. His son-in-law Irvin Mroz (Mroz Hat Shop 1945 – 1985) then sold it to Seymour & Paul Wasserman in 1985.

Sad, but true, and all-too-common story of an historic enterprise. Bought my first Borsalino (4" brim, from the "old country') at the old downtown store in 1965. Bought my current Borso fedora at the Southfield store in '91.

Store Closing

Kind of sad for me. As a newly married, fresh faced kid from Hamtramck, I was hired by The Wassermans to operate that store for them. My first 16 years were in that store, since then I've been working in Southfield, Detroit, and working the Internet store. Here it is 25 years later, and the store is closing. But alas, this will make the 2 remaining stores stronger.

I hope that the two stores wil be around for a long time. There arent too many of us left out there!!





Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

I’m in the process of reading a case regarding what became Henry the Hatter’s Hamtramck location: Polczynski v Nowicki, 198 NW 976 (Mich. 1924). It seems Mrs. Nowicki didn’t want to sell her building to Mr. Polczynski, and tried to clobber him with a broom when he tendered his down payment (in cash! Ten $1000 bills, to be exact).

What history. It’s a shame they had to close it, but economic realities what they are in this state, I’m grateful we’ve still got the downtown location.

-Dave

Carter, Do Post A Pic

carter said:

They have many of their hats deepley discounted at their online store. Not all sizes are available. I ordered a shearling leather baseball cap with ear flaps.

Click to expand...

. . . when it arrives.

With the economy the way it is... having a hat is a bit of a frivolous expense (even if we each probably have a dozen or more (or 3 or 4 dozen)). I can see why a hat store would be closing right now.

Sad to see this happen. Here's hoping his online business thrives.

One of my fav hats...

...is a vintage 'Henry the Hatter.' I keep going back to it time-and-time-again.