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Family hat store weathers bad economy with good 'hat-titudes' Date published: 7/23/2009
By DAN TELVOCK When the godfather of go-go comes to your store for a hat, you know the place has style. Chuck Brown, D.C.'s funky soul musician, gets his classy hats from the Hat Barn in Southpoint I near Massaponax. "He gets a wide-brim long-haired beaver hat and he wipes it down with baby oil to make it shine," said Hodges Mann, who owns the store with his wife, Cyndi, and their son Justin. Other notable customers: former governor and senator George Allen; the parents of former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress; most of the Durham, N.C., police department; and Cyndi Mann swears actor Richard Gere has been in the store before. But everyone gets the star treatment at the Hat Barn, which opened 13 years ago. Justin, who worked for a Stetson outlet center, came up with the idea for the store. "We treat our customers like we'd want to be treated when we go into a store," Cyndi said. "A lot of customers have just become our friends. They are very loyal. I never had any idea it would bloom and grow like it has." More than 8,000 hats fill the store. Hodges, 62, said the Hat Barn is the top seller on the East Coast of the Palm Leaf hat. Even in a down economy, Hodges said his store is still busy. Justin added an embroidery business seven years ago that has brought in additional revenue. Another reason the Manns have endured the recession is that the hats range in price from a $15 sports hat to an $899 Bailey Cowboy hat that sits in a glass display. "You walk in a room with this hat on and you command attention," Hodges said about the Bailey. "We sell maybe three or four of those a year. If you've got 'hat-titude' you can wear any hat in here." The godfather of go-go, who estimated he has bought at least a dozen hats at the Hat Barn, said he likes the Manns' large selection. He said he comes alive when he slides on a nice hat. "Back when I was a kid, the little boys weren't allowed to wear hats," Brown said. "It makes me feel good and it identifies me. If I step out of my car and people see my hat, they know it's me." hatbarn.comDan Telvock: 540/374-5438
Great to know this store is still in business. I'll definitely keep them in mind when I need to purchase a hat.
Good little piece on a good local store!
They really do their research so no wonder they sell high end hats. HB can also help you design custom logos to get visibility for volunteer organizations and the like.
I've purchased two hats from the store within a four year span so it doesn't make me an expert but I'm glad to hear a mom and pop business can still survive in this day we live in. I just was in there last week to purchase the second hat and I'm real pleased with it. Kudos and keep up the great work!
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