Batsakes Hat Shop in Cincinnati

I agree, Gus is very nice and personable, but he doesn't sell the hats. Brusque is too kind a word. The dark haired woman that usually waits on customers is one of the coldest, unfriendliest people I have ever met. On more than one occasion she served as a test on how badly I wanted a particular hat, I don't consider it charming. Other friends have had the same experience. We think she must be a relative (wife or sister).

 

I'm sorry you've had such bad experiences there. The two times I've been there I was treated well by everyone in the shop.
Although the sales ladies did not smile a lot, and did not exactly exude charm, they were helpful when I asked for help and not in the least stand-offish. Of course, one of the first sentences that came out of my mouth the first time I visited was "I'm interested in placing a custom order."

As for Mr. Miller: I'm delighted to have had the chance for him to make me a hat, and for having had the opportunity to listen to him chat a little about his life, his career and acquaintances, and his philosophy. And I love the shoe-shine set up there: Something I don't think I've seen since I was a tot (i.e. about a half century ago).

 

This evening I have been visiting this thread and thinking about this business. I have not posted up my fedora on this thread before. My Gus is shown below:



The felt color is accurate in the above pic.



Best, Eric -

 

Now that is sharp!

Wear it proudly sir.

Best, Eric -

 

It would be worth the trip to meet Gus. I would love to prove my worthiness for a hat like this one!

 

Wow! Butter!

 

Boy KY , that is SWEET ! Congratulations !

 

Great hat, KY! Mr. Miller did a great job and it looks good on you.

Eric, another surprise from you! I like that one.


Sent directly from my mind to yours.

 

Eric: Your Batsakes is marvelous! Love the proportions; and the bash is superb! What is the felt color (looks like it might be bone or silvermist)? And how long ago did you have this one made?

 

Thanks, Fruno. If it weren't for you, I probably would never have gotten the word about Batsakes.

 

Thanks, Red! Yes, for me it was memorable experience.

 

Thanks, Michael. Means a lot to hear this from someone with such good taste as you!

 

Thanks, RJ! I'm very pleased. I do love it when a plan comes together.

 

That is a beauty,love the bash.

 

Ok...know I'm late to the dance here. Gus made me a hat earlier this year. Here it is, along with the pics from when I picked it up. He's a gem, a credit to hatters, to Greece from whence he came (Gus Miller is what I would call a "nom de chapeau", a name easier for all the Germans in Cincinnati to use), to Cincinnati, and to his family.

That said, I entrusted Gus to make my first bespoke this year, when I decided to join the hat tribe. It's not as tall as some would prefer, but he is an artist as well as a businessman. (He remembered @Frunobulax when I showed him a pic.) I picked the felt (steel gray), the ribbon (as red/maroon), and the bow (shark gill).
Unfortunately when I went to pick it up, the bow was more traditional. The good news is that he was not there when I saw that, which means I got one more opportunity to talk with him when I picked it up on Saturday.

Now for some pics of the homecoming celebration!

 

I need to go back down and see Mr. Miller. Haven't shot the breeze with him since summer.

 

I've been having the same thoughts. Having noticed a number of less active FL members who are also Batsakes wearers, was wondering if lunch on the square should be one of the stops for such a trip. It'll be like a "protest of love"!

 

nice piece Don
looks damn good on you as well
that is a treasure that will one day be irreplaceable

 

I take that as a high compliment!

 

I visited the store 5 or 6 years ago knowing nothing about felt fedoras. Before I even knew the lay of the land in the store I was driven out by I'm sure that same woman. While it may have saved me countless $ I now know the missed opportunity to meet Mr Miller is something I regret. Live and learn as they say.