GOORIN BROTHERS OPENED TWO NEW HAT STORES

Fourth generation hatters - Goorin Brothers – has opened two new stores in California. Their headquarters has been in San Francisco since 1949, and they opened their first retail store in North Beach in 2007.

The new Goorin Brothers store is the former Morrow's Nut House in Union Square, which closed after 70 years. Jackie Helbert, who worked at the Nut House for 37 years, passed the building keys to Goorin Brothers President, Ben Goorin, at a ceremony on May 29th at 111 Geary Street.

This historic building is in the heart of the theatre district will feature Goorin Brothers old-fashioned signature hat shop service.

The second new location is less than one block from the historic intersection of Haight and Ashbury, at 1446 Haight St. This shop showcases the latest hat collections featuring work from local San Francisco's artists and designers.

The store opened on May 1st to much fanfare (It was the 40th Anniversary of the Summer of Love). The old-world feel of the shop includes antiques from the late 1890's and historic memorabilia from the Goorin family business (that has survived for over 120 years).

"Despite these tough economic times, I am excited to open new Hat Shops and bring back a tradition that started with my great-grandfather. Demand for fedoras, flat cap Ivys and other classic-inspired hats continues to be strong. It is rewarding to see San Francisco's positive response to these new hat shops," said Ben Goorin.

Ever since Cassel Goorin first sold a Goorin hat off the back of a horse cart in 1895, the company has evolved into a company that sells street-smart hats in storefronts, specialty boutiques, major retailers and online (www.goorin.com).