Larchmont village, is one of those small residential neighborhoods that you either know about through passing through or from living near by. It’s a lively and pleasant area where you can spend your time shopping, dinning or sipping on a cup of coffee. You’ll find many people either walking their dogs to spending time with their family; and you might even spot a few familiar looking faces from your favorite shows and or movies. It’s a very quiet and calm neighborhood strip which is why I love it there on my downtime. But don’t be so fooled by the hidden gems that might add a little more spice in the normal working hours of business.

I wanted to bring my friend Leigh-Ann and her cousin Liz to my little breath of fresh air for a day of lounging around. We ate lunch at an organic burger joint, shopped at my favorite store LF and then stopped off at a hat store. As many times as I’ve spent hours in Larchmont, I’ve always passed by this store. I do enjoy wearing hats, but once I find a one, I use them for each outfit. I’m that girl that buys a hat solely for a particular outfit or specific trend. Leigh-Ann on the other hand was on a mission.

At first I thought we were doing the typical norm of window shopping and browsing. I don’t go into stores unless I desperately need something and have never found shopping as enjoyment, but here, I didn’t mind it all that much. Goorin Bros Hat Shop has a modern antique decor. Still keeping an older era alive, whilst modernizing for all ages who might have a love for hats.

When first walking into the store, it’s not all what you would expect if you’re trying to portray the look of a hipster or urban street wear , but if you’re a fan of every decade that has made a prior fashion statement, then this is the right place for you.

Leigh-Ann was in the mood to purchase a hat on a whim and what was thought to be a casual day trying on many hats, turned out to be a day we’d look forward to doing again. I sat to the side with my lavender lemonade while the two of them chose one hat at a time pairing them with what looks they could achieve in their closets. Nothing initially appealed to me unless I was looking to portray a character of the early 20’s or 50’s. The women’s styles were a bit more conservative to my liking, but I will say that if ever I had the chance to attend the Kentucky Durby or a Sip N Shop luncheon with high nosed socialites, then this would be the first place on my list to turn to.

There were so many hats to choose from that it gave a new meaning to “Wearing many hats”. I became so lonely and restless watching these two that even I joined in on the fun. Gustavo, the store employee was even more so patient with us allowing us the freedom of shopping around without the persistence in trying to make a quick sale. With a few compliments here and there, he gave us our space while we freely did what most women do; try on the whole damn store for hours at a time. Ladies, lets be honest. You can be a royal pain in the butt when it comes to shopping. For the most part, you might purchase a trinket or cloth to compensate the amount of time it took to pick an item, but what it really boils down to is the unnecessary hemming and hawing on the same redundant look while searching for an egocentric compliment when you already know if you look good or not. For us three, we weren’t going to be one of those types of women. Leigh-Ann found the perfect hat of course from my initial pick and from there is when the party really started.

Naturally, a well established hat shop would have added incentives. As an added bonus, there were decorative ways to accessorize your purchase with pins and feathers just to add a glamorous touch to what already was. And if your head is too big, then they steam and size it to your liking so it doesn’t look like a bowling ball placed on top of your head. Leigh-Ann chose the perfect extra touch to be placed on the rim of her hat that gave the look of a socialite when women wore nothing but dresses on every occasion.

But what’s a purchase without a hat box to protect it. Not more than $150 purchase,  I’d say it was worth every buck. I think that as the trends change, we loose that sense of genuine femininity that dates back to a period where hats with an outfit were a part of the norm. Though here, so is the celebration. Now, what store says a big Thank you and come again, with a shot of either, Jameson, Fireball or Vodka. Not too many places or we’d have a bunch of lushes walking the streets singing “Oh Happy Days” or the popular LMFAO anthem “Shots“.

I wasn’t going to join in at first, but who was I kidding?!? These were free shots in the middle of the day. I chose the fireball since I’ve heard it’s a decent choice that goes down smoothly, but holy crap that was like a shot of liquid cinnamon. I can see where the Fire comes from as it has a little extra heat for the swallow. By the time we all took our shots, Gustavo turned on the music from his laptop and let the festivities begin. Good thing there weren’t any other customers other than the people walking outside, but they were missing out on all of our fun which we didn’t mind. Well actually, there was one young gentleman who had returned for his fitted purchase, as I’m sure from the time he had left and came back, he probably thought he had walked into a time warp. What was first a mellow shopping experience turned into a dance party. From the Charleston to the running man, I was having a blast. My main request was that Gustavo play the soundtrack to my favorite movie The Great Gatsby once I put on a gorgeous maroon red 20’s hat. All I needed were some pearls and a flapper dress and I would’ve been set. I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun shopping for a hat, but now I know that when I need to cover up a birds nest on my head and get a pick me upper on the side, this is the first place I going to.

Because we came here on a week day, Gustavo informed us of the many other events the store has including art gallery nights and lets not forget Sunday Funday during the weekly farmers market. We haven’t made a trip back since because I wouldn’t want to confuse this place as a local bar, but I definitely will spread the word along as I’m sure a day of shopping and shots might be an entertaining day of business. Just make sure you’re of legal age.

If more businesses could appreciate and respect the meaning of business by creating a rather ingenious way of making your guest happy and want to come back and return for more, I personally feel our economy would flourish repetitively. Just think about it for a moment. Business creates business, that’s a no brainer. Our grocery stores provides food for our nourishments, beauty salons and spas for our vanity and even our city selfishly manipulates the way of business with their several layered parking signs in order to tow you out of every dime in your purse or wallet. And for some reason we continue to park at that same damn parking spot to be towed again!

oh that’s just absolutely absurd. Someone ought to get kicked in the face for this.

But it’s repetitive. Like I’ve said before, I don’t see too many people sporting hats; especially not these types of hats unless it’s my father who still has style at his age. It’s also no brainer that alcohol can in most cases alter a persons rational way of thinking where clearly they resort to happiness and with happiness comes generosity. Hey, I work at a sports bar on the side and happiness and generosity makes me a happy girl when the color green starts flowing. So this is just another clever way of executing customer service

Pittsburgh 1895, Cassel Goorin is dedicated to the highest level of quality and craftsmanship. Today, the legacy of Cassel continues & follows this timeless approach to the art of hat making.

Xox

For more information check out Goorin Bros. at www.GoorinBros.com
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