About - Greeley Hat Works

About us

HATTING SINCE 1909

110+
years of
Hatisfaction®

Since 1909, Greeley Hat Works provides not only a service, but an outlet of personal expression for anyone interested in wearing a hat. From politicians and celebrities to ranchers and fashionistas, we provide the highest quality products and impeccable customer service to all walks of life.

How it started

1909

Originally called The Shining Parlor, the company was founded by two Greek brothers in Greeley, Colorado.

1928

The shop was remodeled and renamed to Greeley Hat Shop & Shining Parlor. Simultaneously, the company expanded into Fort Collins.

1970

The hat industry started to change as did the company’s clientele. The hat styles went from fashion-inspired to everyday functioning.

1985

Susie Orr purchased the shop and revitalized the original structure of the business and Greeley Hat Shop started creating and designing custom hats once again. She closed the storefront and moved hatmaking to her family ranch.

1993

Trent Johnson started as an apprentice for Orr. Two years later, Johnson convinced her to reopen a shop in downtown Greeley at 826 9th Street Plaza.

1996

Johnson purchased the shop from Orr. He renamed it Greeley Hat Works with the intention to uphold the legacy of his predecessors.

There are very few things that have changed about Greeley Hat Works since it was established, other than owners. The company uses traditional Parisienne hatmaking tools that the shop coined “retro-tech” to build each and every hat.

MAD HATTER IN CHIEF

Meet
Trent
Johnson

As a kid, Trent Johnson didn’t collect baseball cards, he collected hats. “On a family holiday to the grand opening of Epcot,” says Trent. “I took hats home as souvenirs from all the different world booths—a fez hat from Morocco, a beret from France, a ‘bobby hat’ from London—that’s kind of not normal.”

Since then, Trent’s love of hats has only grown. From the day that Trent bought Greeley Hat Works in 1996 to today, his work and the name of the shop have only become more prolific and well-known. Over the years, Trent has made it his mission to provide excellent hats for the everyman.

“From the guy who’s saved up his paycheck working at the feedlot, to the guy who just sold his high-tech business, you can see the pleasure on their face when they put on the finished hat. That moment is as cool as being in the White House.”

And Trent would know. Beginning in 2002, Trent has had the privilege of building several hats for President George W. Bush. From there, he began outfitting custom hats for many dignitaries, celebrities, movies and television shows, and politicians.

Using the same tools since the day the company opened, Greeley Hat Works continues a legacy of hand-crafted, high-end hat making. By focusing on quality and customer service, Trent has built Greeley Hat Works one step at a time through handshakes, meetings, and making sure Greeley Hat Works keeps the feel of a smaller company.