AARON HATS CELEBRATES THREE YEARS IN BUSINESS...THEY HAD A DREAM

Aaron Kesmetis opened his North Conway, New Hampshire hat store three years ago and is proudly living out his dream to run a family owned hat store. "We always wanted to run a business, live in a small town. Now we are living in our dream log home, operate our own business and living a dream," said Aaron Kesmetis."

Business has been good for the Kesmetis’s (it’s a husband and wife team), and they keep expanding online and in the White Mountains of New Hampshire in Norcross Circle. The store opened in June 2003 in a resort town, but the Kesmetis’s were adamant that it would work out – and it did.

“In 2003 Aaron and MaryAnn Kesmetis sold their Fifth Avenue home in Lowell, MA, quit their jobs and headed north.

Aaron’s goal was to operate his own business. With a fascination for western hats and a love for the New Hampshire’s simplicity it seemed only natural that a hat be their avenue north. "I went to Parrott Hatters all the time; I really respected how a business could do so well for that long. That was always an inspiration for me," said Aaron Kesmetis. "My grandfather, Anthony Kesmetis used to go there all the time. That was the place to go - people would come all the way from Boston."

Although Aaron toyed with the idea of purchasing the 75-year old Lowell stronghold favorite by his grandfathers, Anthony Kesmetis and Victor Tremblay, Aaron said the timing wasn't right. But finally the timing was perfect.

With a customer service and marketing background the two were confident they had a recipe for success. The couple spent their time researching vendor selection, products, prices, quality and hat comparisons. “Throw together a few restless nights, stress and a high level of enthusiasm and you have two ecstatic, enthusiastic and proud business owners – “Our homework paid off.”

After six months (Jan. 04) the hat demand from Valley residents, tourists and the internet (www.GetaHatOn.com) was so great that Aaron Hats leased larger space. One year later (Feb. 05) they move to an even larger space (triple the original space).

"There was a need for hats in this community - there wasn't a place in town where you could buy a quality hat, “said Bob Corbett, Norcross Circle neighbor and owner of Courtyard Café. “His arrival overall has raised the bar. He projects a very professional look and encourages a caliber and quality that folks like to see."

"Even if you don't like hats you can come in and reminisce about your grandfather in the old days. Hats have a nice way of reminding us of the old days,” said Kesmetis.

”Our best sellers are Kangol caps, but Bailey, Barmah, Betmar, Dorfman Pacific, Resistol, Stetson, Sunday Afternoons and Tilley Endurables also sell well. We sell hatboxes, brushes, bands and retainers, and a steaming and stretching service is available.

”Aaron and MaryAnn rock comfortably beneath a luminous blanket of stars on their farmer porch reminiscing about the bold steps it took to make Aaron Hats a reality. The traffic and rigor of city life is gone - now they enjoy the nighttime quiet, an occasional moose and the mild mannered city vacationers.”

We hear their online hat store is also doing very well, check it out: www.getahaton.com

Congratulations Aaron and MaryAnn Kesmetis.