The oldest hat retailer in the United States, Henry the Hatter "has lost its lease and must close" its downtown Detroit location, a news release announced Friday.
The last day of business for the store founded in 1893, with hats worn by such high-profile people as U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower and musician George Clinton, is Aug. 5. The other location in Southfield will remain open.
"It's not a good day for independents like me," said Paul Wasserman, 70, owner of Henry the Hatter. His lease on the building at 1307 Broadway is ending, and he said his landlord of 22 years is using an escape clause. "They had the legal right to do what they did. It's their building to do what they see fit." READ MORE
Louie the Hatter (Elias Dellopoulos)
Louie the Hatter was aka Elias Dellopoulos. His son's generation changed the name to Dellas. His son's name was Steven Dellas, but his birth name was ESTATHIOS/STEVEN DELLOPOULOS. Steven Dellopoulos is on his discharge papers from the army... during WWII.
Louie's hats were tagged with the hat maker's logo. For instance, Dobb's was the biggest name. He didn't choose to sew his store logo into the hats...too expensive.
There was quite a rivalry between Louie and Louis. They were not friendly competitors for certain...
Henry the Hatter
Established in 1893 by Detroit native Henry Komrofsky, Henry the Hatter first opened on Gratiot Ave. Komrofsky had worked for a number of years as a hatter at the John C. Hartz store before opening his own shop. As a businessman, Komrofsky was interested in many aspects of city life.
I am the great-grandson of Louis "The Hatter" Bradlin, and great nephew of Bill Bradlin. I have spent my whole life in Los Angeles, but really like your site. I thought I would pass along the sad news that Bill Bradlin passed away in September of '07. My grandmother, Louis the Hatter's daughter and Bill's sister, also passed away in September. She raised me on stories of the store and Detroit in general.
Keep up the good work, and in this day of gentrification, sites like yours are important.
Sincerely,
Alexis Steppling
This Louis the Hatter bowler was purchased in the 1950s. Just recently sold on Ebay.. It is marked "Louis the Hatter," and is in excellent condition. It is a 7 3/4 long oval. Sweatband, liner, ribbon, binding and felt are all in perfect shape.
Mr. Bill Bradlin, a army veteran, was a graduate of Cass Tech. He then started in business with Speedy Laundry, then Bradlin Cleaners and finally Louis the Hatter which evolved into three different locations including the Fisher Building and then 8 Mile and Greenfield. He then became a rep with his wife as his partner for several companies. Bill was a friend of mine and an exhibitor in many of the Super Sales back in the 1980's
you are the bomb and don't let anyone tell you that bloggers do not do their homework. KIM is spot on and so are your comments. Here is a photo of my Dad, Steve Dellopoulos(Dellas) owner/operator of Louie the Hatter. Everything posted on this thread is exactly correct. Thank you for keeping an important part of the history of Detroit alive. Yep, after arson and armed robbery, Dad sold inventory, padlocked the useless real estate, and opened a Roy Rogers in the suburbs. Shame.
