MIKE MOORE
Hatting buckaroos worldwide
STORY BY TIFFANY HOLLAND PHOTO BY ECHO DAY
hile many cities have tried to lure the rare store, Buckaroo Hatters, away from Tipton County, owner Mike Moore is staying put and keeping his custommade hat store in Covington. Paintings of cowboys, movie stars and historical gentlemen adorn the store, all wearing the type of hats the store is widely known for making. Moore began the business years ago as a side project in his garage because of his passion for making large western hats. As his knowledge and interest grew, so did the number of customers, which allowed him to open up Buckaroo Hatters. The store has now been in business for almost seven years. It was recently located across from the Ruffin Theater on West Pleasant on the Square, but that store
W
04 AUTUMN 2010
was outgrown due to sales, largely from out-of-state. Buckaroo Hatters did not move far, though. It is just down the street next to Upscale Resale and across from the Hatchie River Emporium and Haberdashery. Moore has also added some western vintage wear, southwestern pottery and will be putting in an art gallery. There are also historical artifacts unique to the area and Moore himself uses sewing and hat making equipment from the wild west era, which are beneficial for the type of work it takes to making the perfect hat. Moore is one of only 200 custom hat makers in the United States and the only one in Tennessee. The nearest is located in Oklahoma City, according to Moore. People from all over the world contact him for hats, FACES & PLACES
which can come in any size, shape of color and are guaranteed to not bleed. It takes him several hours to make sure everything on the hat, from the brim size to the sweatband, is perfect for each individual customer. Moore runs Buckaroo Hatters part-time but hopes he can one day run it full-time and turn his passionate interest into a full-blown career. The hours are 10-5 p.m. on Saturday and 11-4 p.m. on Sunday, but Moore said, “We really close when the customer decides to leave. You won’t ever hear me ask anyone Buckaroo Hatters has recently moved a new location on the square, giving to leave five minutes before to owner Mike Moore additional space closing time. I will stay and talk for his wares. Photo by Echo Day. with them until eight if that is stay much later than eight. what they want.” For more information on Judging from his knowledge and passion for hat making and Buckaroo Hatters, the website western culture, Moore could is www.buckaroohatters.com www.covingtonleader.com