Save Paul's Hat Works

In which we take up a cause

---

Yes, it is very uncharacteristic of Travels West to take up a cause. But sometimes a blog's got to do what a blog's got to do.

It has come to our attention that the venerable hatter, 90-year-old Paul's Hat Works on Geary BLVD (that's GAH-ree; say it right!) is on the ropes and in danger of shutting its doors. Owner Michael Harris, who has been at Paul's for some 36 years, is in despair and fears his business is not long for this world.

It's not that hats aren't selling. They are. The Britney Spears / Kevin Federlein faux fedora axis has been responsible for selling many. The problem is, most of these hats, though stylish, are cheap knock-offs of real fur felt fedoras, trilbies, derbies and homburgs. Paul's, however, only sells top quality hat stock at prices to match. Paul's is also way out of the way -- way out in the Richmond -- not exactly a prime location for high-end, downtown haberdashery.

But listen, you can buy one hat every five or ten years that lasts a lifetime, or you can buy one hat every six months that falls apart in three. This season, give the gift of fine, well-made headgear from Paul's, and show your friends what a real lid is really about.