Meyer The Hatter
The country's second-oldest hat store, still fitting heads on St. Charles Ave since 1894.
Sam Meyer is 101 years old, a World War II veteran, and he showed up to work today. That single fact tells you everything you need to know about Meyer The Hatter. Founded in 1894 and now run by Sam alongside his two sons, this St. Charles Avenue institution has been placing the right hat on the right head for over 130 years, making it one of the oldest hat retailers in the United States.
Step through the door and the selection stops you cold. Fedoras, panama hats, porkpies, western brims, wool caps, and custom fits line the walls in a density that rewards slow browsing. The staff, many of them family, bring a depth of knowledge you simply cannot find at a department store rack. Customers who walk in without any intention of buying routinely walk out carrying a hatbox.
This is not a nostalgia shop frozen in amber. Meyer The Hatter earns a 4.9-star rating across hundreds of reviews because the fitting experience is genuinely personal every time. Whether you are a local grabbing a game-day cap or a visitor who stumbled off the streetcar, you leave with a hat that actually fits your head and your life.
The core of what happens here is the hat fitting, a craft the Meyer family has refined across three generations. Staff measure your head, read your face shape, and pull options you would not have thought to try yourself. The result is a hat that looks like it was made for you, because the selection process treats it that way.
The store carries an extensive range of styles: panama hats woven for New Orleans heat, classic fedoras in wool and straw, structured western hats, flat caps, and specialty pieces tied to local teams and universities like Tulane. Custom sizing and blocking services are available for those who need a precise fit.
Beyond individual purchases, Meyer The Hatter is a destination for gifts, special occasions, and the kind of souvenir that actually gets worn. The team ships nationwide, so the hat you fall in love with on St. Charles Ave can follow you home anywhere in the country.
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Meyer The Hatter was founded in 1894, making it one of the two oldest hat stores in the United States with over 130 years of continuous operation on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans.
Sam Meyer is a third-generation hatter, World War II veteran, and as of recent customer visits, a 101-year-old who still comes in to work alongside his two sons. He is a living piece of New Orleans history and the soul of the store.
The store stocks a wide range including Panama hats, fedoras, porkpie hats, western-style brims, wool flat caps, and caps tied to local teams and universities such as Tulane. The inventory is one of the most comprehensive in the region.
Yes. The staff are trained fitters who will measure your head and guide you through styles that complement your face shape. Custom sizing and hat blocking services are available for a precise, tailored fit.
Yes. If you visit while traveling and want to send a hat home, or if you want to order remotely, Meyer The Hatter offers nationwide shipping so your purchase can reach you anywhere in the country.
The store is at 120 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130, in the Central Business District. It is easily accessible via the historic St. Charles streetcar line and is a short walk from several well-known cafes and hotels.
Absolutely. The store is recognized as both a historical landmark and an active retail destination. Many visitors walk in out of curiosity and leave with a hat they wear for years. The staff are welcoming to first-time visitors and locals alike.
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