SF: Hat Shopping

[FedoraGent]

Bay Area Cats and Kittens,

I've decided to go hat and antique shopping tomorrow. Anyone want to join me? Jamespowers, how about you? I know we were going to goto the hat shop this week but it didn't work out. Want to try again?

Jon

 

[jamespowers]

Bay Area Cats and Kittens,

I've decided to go hat and antique shopping tomorrow. Anyone want to join me? Jamespowers, how about you? I know we were going to goto the hat shop this week but it didn't work out. Want to try again?

Jon

Gee, I've got company coming tomorrow. Darn.
Although that next wine and cheese train out in Niles in August looks interesting to me. Anyone interested in that?

Regards,

J

 

[FedoraGent]

Gee, I've got company coming tomorrow. Darn.
Although that next wine and cheese train out in Niles in August looks interesting to me. Anyone interested in that?

Regards,

J

J,

I'm going TODAY. That was written last night. Want to go?

And I'll see if people want to go on the Wine train. Sounds fabulous.

Jon

 

[jamespowers]

J,

I'm going TODAY. That was written last night. Want to go?

And I'll see if people want to go on the Wine train. Sounds fabulous.

Jon

Ooooooh! i get it now. duh!:eusa_doh: It depends on the time. Later is better in the heat.

Regards,

J

 

[FedoraGent]

Ooooooh! i get it now. duh!:eusa_doh: It depends on the time. Later is better in the heat.

Regards,

J

Bay Area Hat Shops:

Top Hatters: No Air Conditioning...that's right out then. Very economical, very knowledgable...been there since 1946.

Fino Fino: Air Conditioning! Qualified. Too posh.

Paul's Hat's: No Air Conditioning. Expensive.

Goorin: No Air Conditioning! Qualified. Rubbish hats though. All hip hop.

Hat Guys: Air Conditioning! Qualified. *** I like this one ***

Ladies Hatshop on Grand Avenue in Oaktown: No Air Conditioning. Nice.

Hat Shop on Valencia: No Air Conditioning. Third World Country made hats.


You know it's hot out when you have to validate whether a shop has AC.

Jon

 

[ledsled]

websites?

Man, you know your hat shops! Do any of these folks have websites? I think I might have seen one for The Hat Guys.

 

[jamespowers]

We're going to have to try this next week. Anyone in so we can plan it out? I would say a visit to the hat Guys in oakland might be a first stop then a few stops in Berkeley at Mars vintage and a few others I have to check out.

Regards,

J

 

[Lincsong]

Top Hatters is top notch.

Top Hatters in San Leandro is great. Very knowledgeable. The owners are in their 90's now. Very helpful and friendly. A joy to visit their establishment. I highly recommend them to any one. They're on MacArthur Blvd. in San Leandro right on the Oakland border. Any hat excursion would be incomplete without a stop at this business. Par Excelance.

 

[mlktrout]

The only hat I want...

FedoraGent, and others,

For years I have been searching for ONE hat. My search began at about the age of 13 and I am now 47. In all the years of searching, my dream hat has eluded me. Perhaps one of you can help.

Anyone remember the Shadow? Not the gosh-awful Alec Baldwin movie (and why is he still in this country anyway?) but the "REAL" Shadow of Maxwell Grant and pulp fiction fame, brought to vibrant life in the 1970's by comic book artist Mike Kaluta....Remember the hat he wore? It was a black slouch hat. Reasonably tall crown, VERY wide brim. No adornments. Just a big floppy black hat that melted into the night with its owner. I have pictures but don't think I can attach them.

Anyhow, if anyone's familiar with that kind of hat and knows where they might be sold...here I am! My e-mail mlk(no-spam)trout@comcast.net. Of course take out the no-spam part!

Mil gracias,

 

[FedoraGent]

FedoraGent, and others,

For years I have been searching for ONE hat. My search began at about the age of 13 and I am now 47. In all the years of searching, my dream hat has eluded me. Perhaps one of you can help.

Anyone remember the Shadow? Not the gosh-awful Alec Baldwin movie (and why is he still in this country anyway?) but the "REAL" Shadow of Maxwell Grant and pulp fiction fame, brought to vibrant life in the 1970's by comic book artist Mike Kaluta....Remember the hat he wore? It was a black slouch hat. Reasonably tall crown, VERY wide brim. No adornments. Just a big floppy black hat that melted into the night with its owner. I have pictures but don't think I can attach them.

Anyhow, if anyone's familiar with that kind of hat and knows where they might be sold...here I am! My e-mail mlk(no-spam)trout@comcast.net. Of course take out the no-spam part!

Mil gracias,

You mean like this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Black-Felt-Fedo...72QQihZ019QQcategoryZ2998QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Jon

 

[Lincsong]

Fedoragent;
When was the last time you were at Top Hatters?[huh]

 

[FedoraGent]

Fedoragent;
When was the last time you were at Top Hatters?[huh]

I bought a hat from them in March and one in January. I love talking with them, they are the sweetest people. I especially like her. She tells me that I'm "such a good boy!". My grandpa and his friends used to shop there. We had friends from church that used to shop there as well. Alas, they have all passed away and I am the last one of our friends/family that goes in there.

Why?

Jon

 

[Lincsong]

Just wondering. I bought a couple hats from them, but it's been a couple years since I've been back. She is definetly a sweetheart. So helpful and knowledgable. You just don't get that kind of service nowadays. I know she had problems with her circulation. They're in their 90's. So I hope they're doing fine. Yeah, any hat shopping must include a stop there.

 

[FedoraGent]

Just wondering. I bought a couple hats from them, but it's been a couple years since I've been back. She is definetly a sweetheart. So helpful and knowledgable. You just don't get that kind of service nowadays. I know she had problems with her circulation. They're in their 90's. So I hope they're doing fine. Yeah, any hat shopping must include a stop there.

She still problems with her circulation and her back. They don't clean and block anymore due to the back problems and so they send everyone to Snow Cleaners in Oakland. When recently asked if they'd throw in the towel, he replied "Only if I'm pushing Daisies." They love what they do. Totally.

Jon

 

[Lincsong]

See what I mean. You just don't find that kind of dedication anymore.:eusa_clap

 

[tonyb]

Thanks for the tip on Top Hatters, guys. I don't have plans of getting down that way anytime soon, but just hearing about that shop has me thinking that a trip is in order.
Any feature writers among our Bay Area contingent? That place and those people sound like a story that would darn near write itself.

 

[FedoraGent]

Thanks for the tip on Top Hatters, guys. I don't have plans of getting down that way anytime soon, but just hearing about that shop has me thinking that a trip is in order.
Any feature writers among our Bay Area contingent? That place and those people sound like a story that would darn near write itself.

Herb and Christopher Caen both did columns on them. I used to write, but I'm on the bench right now pending a call for a new mag gig. It should prove quite interesting. Those folks are great and they had a write up in the Oakland Tribune last year.

Jon

 

[Lincsong]

Herb and Christopher Caen both did columns on them. I used to write, but I'm on the bench right now pending a call for a new mag gig. It should prove quite interesting. Those folks are great and they had a write up in the Oakland Tribune last year.

Jon

The Oakland Trib? I take the Daily Review, which is like comparing a Chevrolet and a Pontiac (the same thing different molding) But, they are a super, SUPER, couple. Can barely walk but this is their life. If they stopped it would be like taking their heart away. A definetely must see for anyone visiting the Bay Area.:eusa_clap

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

I'm going today,...

...to my favorite antique and collectables venue. I have a hunch I'll find something cool,...maybe even "The Hat" in my size! Synchronicity is about to strike again.