Iconic Henry the Hatter to open new store in Detroit's Eastern Market

DETROIT (WJBK) - It's the oldest hat retailer in the country in business since 1893.

This summer Henry The Hatter shocked the community, announcing its downtown Detroit location would close up shop.

Now the iconic store is returning to the city in Eastern Market. Fedoras and caps, thousands of hats are coming back to Detroit.

"Here we are, we are back," said owner Paul Wasserman.

After the legendary Henry the Hatter store in downtown closed its doors in August, Wasserman couldn't let the store's 124-year history leave the city.

"I've got a lot of friends that have been buying from him for years," said one customer. "I was worried he wasn't going to stay here."

Wasserman is planning to re-open the oldest store of its kind in the U.S. in Eastern Market.

"Given the history of both the market and my business, I thought it was the perfect fit," Wasserman said.'

"When are you going to open," a customer asked.

"I just got the keys yesterday," Wasserman said.

Many still flock to Wasserman's second store in Southfield.

"It's been a lot of hard work but it has been very gratifying," he said. "I am glad I still have the energy to do it."

Wasserman's love for Detroit will soon to be amplified with the new ample space built in the 1920s.

"It is a freezer door," he said. "This was originally a slaughter house. That was the original intent of the building."

Wasserman says it may seem a bit ambitious; he plans to have the new store open by Thanksgiving.

"I'd like that very much," he said. "We'll keep our fingers crossed. We'll see."

Detroiters already know Henry the Hatter cannot be matched.

"Everyone knows you're from Detroit when you put on those hats, they know style," the customer said.

Wasserman is proud to keep the iconic business in the D, hopefully for another 124.

"I hope this is our last move," he said.