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| Over the past 28 years in business, many people asked how I started the business and who actually taught me the trade. I'd like to share my experience with those who have dream of owning a business but need a bit of incentive. I moved to Phoenix in 1981 from Rockford, Illinois. I had visited Phoenix a couple of times and there was just a dream or drive to live in the desert. The western lifestyle suited me, and I was intrigued especially with the cattle/livestock ranching. Included in that, were the actual cowboys and their attire. After many conversations with cowboys I found that most sent their hats to Texas to be cleaned and re-blocked. At that same time, I met a gentleman named Steve Speros, a very kind, soft spoken Greek man who had spent his life making and sewing hats. We talked, and he took me on as an apprentice, everything I know about hats-this gentleman has taught me. I soon learned that another gentleman by the name of George Falkedes who owned Athens Hatworks of Phoenix had passed away and the family sold the original hat making equipment to me. So when I clean and block your hat, I will be using blocks from 1918! I opened a small store in Phoenix to just clean and block western hats, but soon discovered that people wanted a good selection of hats, not just western, but also fedoras and panamas. Money was in short supply, and I couldn't stock a lot, so on the weekend I would load up my 1978 Datsun truck with hats and go to rodeos, cattle events, horse shows to sell my hats. It didn't take long before people were coming in from these events and word of mouth. I was off and running. Now, 28 years later I have one of the largest hat shops and inventory in the country, and still love everyday I am here. I went from 400 square feet to a building where the main showroom is 3200 square feet of hats from floor to ceiling. If you are one of those people who hesitates – get going it's a fantastic ride! Sincerely, Rich Glisson For more information, please contact us. Please check out our other website: heritagehatshop.com | |
