Hats store to sell online only

by BRIAN NADIG

After 31 years in business in the Six Corners shopping district, Hats Plus will be closing its brick and mortar operations and focusing on online sales.

The store, located at 4706 W. Irving Park Road, has about 30,000 hats in inventory. Costume designers for television shows, movies and playhouses have been among the store’s customers over the years.

"We specialize in hats, and that’s what we sell," said store owner Martin Mann, who purchased the store from its original owner Stuart Korman 15 years ago. "There are very few stores like ours in the country."

Mann said that he plans to close the store within six weeks and have its inventory moved to a storage facility but that the business will continue to operate via its Web site’ online sales.

The city’s high taxes and fees and costly regulations for businesses contributed to the decision to close the storefront, Mann said. About one third of the store’s sales are from the Internet, he said.

Mann said that the store’s selection includes caps, berets, fedoras, and cowboy, straw and newsboy hats.

"We have a very diverse collection," Mann said.

For more information about the store visit its Web site at www.hats-plus.com.