Henry the Hatter has been at their Detroit location for over 65 years. The oldest hat retailer in the United States, Henry the Hatter has now lost its lease and must close its downtown Detroit location. Big downtown investments and enthusiasm in recent years has led to an increase in monthly parking rates and building rates and a number of nearby properties have been redeveloped.
The removal of Henry the Hatter, a long-standing business in Detroit who has not only made a name for themselves but has also received worldwide recognition for their bright, vibrant, and unique hats, is an example of the sudden uproot of authentic and established business in the midtown and downtown area. Henry the Hatter is not the only business who has been forced to close due to new lease owners who have raised prices to align with downtown Detroit’s cataclysm. Businesses such as the Salvation Army located near Midtown Detroit have been forced to close due to investors buying their buildings out. It’s as if the authenticity that makes Detroit is being displaced. So, what can I, someone who works for the community and the betterment of Detroit do about such predicament? I don’t have the money to “buy out” these investors, but I do know that I can support Detroit businesses through advocating and buying their products.
http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2017/06/30/henry-hatter-close-downtown-detroit/442485001/
