You can trust us when it comes to getting the best insurance in Houston, Texas; but when it comes to cowboy hats we needed a little (or maybe a lot) of help. That’s where Gary Cohen comes in to save the day.
In 1915, long before downtown Houston was filled with concrete, traffic and skyscrapers, Gary’s grandfather, Maurice Silver, founded the American Hat Company. The haberdasher made custom Western hats fashioned by hand when cowboy hats weren’t just a fashion statement, but a way of life. Maurice’s customers came from all over the great state of Texas. He even made hats for such icons as Gene Autry and the Lone Ranger!
He passed his trade to his sons and they in turn, taught his grandson the trade. Gary Cohen took the reins of the family business in 1981 and opened The Hat Store off of Richmond. Since then, Gary’s customers have included famous figures such as President George H. Bush, Governor Rick Perry and celebrities Merle Haggard, Lyle Lovett, Clint Black, Craig Biggio and even Shaquille O’Neal. Do you think Shaq’s hat wa
s the biggest one he’s ever made?
Gary has been so gracious to pass on a few tips for keeping your cowboy hat in tip-top shape:
- Handle your western felt hat with washed hands by the front and back of the brim just next to the crown with four fingers.
- When placing your hat aside, place it upside down on the crown (top). This will help keep the original brim shape or set.
- To remove dust use a hat brush, small plastic sponge or whisk broom for the tougher hats. Keeping your hat dust-free will lengthen the life of your hat.
- If you’re worried about rain, you can purchase a rain hat cover relatively cheap. However, a good quality western hat shouldn’t be damaged by the rain or snow.
- If a liquid such as a soft drink stains your hat, run it under a stream of cool water and use the side of your index finger softly scratch the area. Let the hat dry naturally. Do not use a hair dryer as this can shrink your hat.
Although it may be an old wives’ tale, they say that you shouldn’t put your cowboy hat on your bed because it will result in seven years of bad luck. Gary is not sure if this is true, but he says you won’t ever catch him putting his hat on a bed. We don’t blame him.
If you’re looking for the perfect cowboy hat or accessories, give Gary a call and tell him we sent you! Visit www.thehatstore.com to check out The Hat Store. Or drop by the store for a more personal visit at 5587 Richmond Avenue, Houston, Texas 77056.
We really appreciate Gary’s tips for keeping our cowboy hats in good condition. You could say that Gary is in the business of Texas insurance as well!