A new customized hat shop is now open in Cedar Rapids’ Czech Village! Say hello to LoKey Hat Co.!
About LoKey Hat Co.
LoKey Hat Co. was founded back in 2023 by Jess Delfs, Candy Nanke, and Amanda Boge in Bonita Springs, Florida. KCRG reports that Candy and her husband split their time between Iowa and Florida, which is how the shop ended up with a location in Cedar Rapids.
LoKey Hat Co. isn’t just your typical hat shop. It’s an experience. According to the website, the business “is dedicated to crafting stylish and custom hats that blend timeless craftsmanship with modern trends.” You start by choosing a hat from a wide variety of styles and colors, and then you can have it shaped to your liking and customized with different accessories like feathers, cards, ribbons, belts, lettering, branding, charms, and more. You can check out a video of the whole process from a November episode of Everyday Iowa HERE.
In addition to personalized hats, LoKey also sells cowboy boots. And, if you’re looking for a holiday present, gift cards are now available for purchase, too.
The Cedar Rapids Location
LoKey Hat Co. opened at 73 16th Ave SW in Cedar Rapids on November 20th. It’s part of the Sykora Bakery building, which was purchased by Candy’s husband Kory Nanke in late 2023, according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette. The shop is easy to spot – just look for “the little blue building!”
If you’d like to check out the shop for yourself, the business’ Facebook page says they’re open Thursday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Friday & Saturday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can check out the business’ official website HERE.
About the Building
The building at 73 16th Ave SW in the Czech Village has been a community landmark since it was built way back in 1900. An article from the Homegrown Iowan says it was initially home to the Dew Drop Inn, but Charles and Anna Kosek turned it into Kosek’s Bakery in 1903. The article reads:
“Joseph Sykora, who worked for the Koseks, bought the business in 1927. Sykora and his wife, Clara, owned and operated Sykora Bakery for nearly 40 years, and lived above the bakery.”
John and Susan Rocarek took over Sykora Bakery in 2001 and kept its legacy alive until they decided to sell the building in 2023. The Corridor Business Journal says that it reopened under new ownership in September of that year, but closed again just days later. December 2023 is when the building was purchased by Kory Nanke, who still hasn’t revealed his plans for the remainder of the space. KCRG reports:…