MEMPHIS, Tenn. – For decades, men in Memphis, looking for a premium hat, knew where to go: Mister Hats in East Memphis. But now, the once popular haberdashery on Poplar Avenue is set to close its doors for good. Mister Hats has been open in that location since 1979; the founder, Alvin Lansky, is an entrepreneur whose apple didn’t fall far from the family tree.
Lansky’s family’s reputation for providing fine clothing to Memphis dates back to 1946. He and his brother were known for dressing Elvis Presley in the family business before Alvin started his hat store. Lansky died in 2016, and nine years later, his family faced a tough choice. “Obviously, it was not an easy decision to make, but you know, as business ebbs and flows, right now was the time that we needed to shut it down,” said Daniel Lansky, current owner and grandson of Alvin Lansky.
The younger Lansky, as well as the current manager of Mister Hats, both expressed their thanks for the years of loyalty some of their customers have shown their business. Blake Viar said the countdown to close will be their best, albeit bittersweet, final sale. “Trying to get as much traffic in as possible. It is a true liquidation type sale,” Viar said…