There’s something truly special about stepping away from my day-to-day rhythm and routine for a flea market trip. My recent visits to the Long Beach Antique Market and Round Top Antiques Fair reminded me just how essential these moments are—not just for sourcing, but for creativity, inspiration, and connection to what we bring back to our hat bars.
These trips aren’t casual shopping outings. They are intentional, focused, and honestly, a huge part of what makes our stores feel so distinct. Carving out time to wander through rows of vendors, dig through bins, and sort through bowls and baskets is how we find those one-of-a-kind accessories that truly set our hat bars apart. It’s not about grabbing what’s easy—it’s about discovering pieces that tell a story and spark something special.
Every time I reach into a pile or pause at a booth, there’s a process happening in my mind. I’m not just looking—I’m thinking about you. I’m thinking about our customers, your personal style, and the unique vibe of each store. I’m picturing how a piece might sit on a hat, who might pick it up, and what it might say about them when they wear it.
I’ll never forget a Fort Worth customer’s passion for poodles. I struck up a conversation with this cool 30-year old event planner and she loved her pet poodle more than anything. You better believe any time I find a poodle pin or brooch I purchase it and put it in our Stockyards store hoping she’ll come back and geek out when she discovers it.
Each of our locations has its own personality, and that plays such a big role in what I choose. For Louisville, I’m always drawn to pieces with a bit of equestrian charm and anything with a horse. While for Frisco – our door at the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters – I can’t help but seek out accents with stars. These details matter, and they guide every decision I make while I’m out in the fields.
And yes, hunting down these items takes time. A lot of time. There’s no rushing this process. Some of the best finds come from the bottom of a dusty bin or tucked behind something unexpected. It takes patience to sort through layers, to look beyond the obvious, and to recognize potential in something that might otherwise be overlooked. That’s where the magic is.
Beyond the sourcing, these trips refuel me in a way that’s hard to describe. Walking through the markets, seeing how vendors display their collections, noticing textures, colors, and combinations — it all sparks new ideas. I come back not just with fixtures and accessories, but with fresh inspiration for how we style our spaces, how we present our hat bars, and how we continue to evolve the in-store experience.
I’m constantly thinking about how we can make things feel more special, more thoughtful, and more aligned with what you love. Whether it’s a new way to display pieces, a different mix of materials, or an entirely new concept for hat embellishments, these ideas are born out of time spent exploring, observing, and creating.
There’s also something deeply grounding about being out in nature in a wide-open field when most days are spent in the office or four walls of a store. It pulls me out of my routine and reminds me why we do what we do. It reconnects me to the small businesses that inspired me to start this business in the first place and the heart of our brand—thoughtfulness, individuality, and a commitment to offering something you won’t find just anywhere.
I left both Long Beach and Round Top feeling energized, inspired, and so excited about what’s coming next. We have some truly incredible pieces headed to our stores—items that have been carefully chosen, thoughtfully considered, and selected with you – yes, you! – in mind.
Items start rolling into our stores this week. I can’t wait for you to see what we found.
With gratitude,
