Henry the Hatter owner announces closure of historic Detroit store

Store to close after Saturday, Aug. 5

DETROIT – After 65 years in its current spot on Broadway Street in Downtown Detroit, Henry the Hatter has lost its lease and will close, owner Paul Wasserman announced Friday.

The business, located at 1307 Broadway Street, will be open through Aug. 5.

Wasserman said the company's Southfield location will stay open.

The company, founded in 1893, is the oldest hat retailer in the United States.

"Over the past 124 years, as trends, culture and the economy evolved, we did too. I’m sad to see this era end but it was a business decision I did not make," Wasserman said. "I encourage everyone, from those who visited the store when they were young to first time shoppers, to visit us at Henry the Hatter and help us say goodbye to a part of Detroit history."

The company said Henry the Hatter customers have included Kid Rock, Jeff Daniels, Jack White, Peter Karmanos, George Clinton, Mike Epps and Steve Harvey. President Dwight D. Eisenhower wore a Henry the Hatter homburg to his inauguration in 1956.

Here is an advertisement from 1944 touting a "Reflection of Perfection" as a man wearing one of the hats gazes into a mirror: 

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Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.