A MotherSister Minute: Malchijah Hats
While I was doing my last-minute, pre-vacation shopping, I realized I needed some stylin’ sun protection: a floppy hat and sunglasses. I’m not normally a hat person, but that might all change now that I have a diva-worthy straw number from Malchijah Hats. Besides fly hats (including custom-made ones), also on offer are guayaberas and linen pants, dresses and skirts, and assorted sunglasses and bags. As the personable Joe, one of the business’ partners, put a band in my purchase, we spoke for a MotherSister Minute while he also gave attentive service to everyone who came through the door.
OPENED: We’ve been here about 10 years.
WHY FORT GREENE/CLINTON HILL: Fort Greene is a melting pot of Brooklyn. You find all ethnic diversities here and our hats cater to everyone: black Americans, West Indians, Africans, Jamaicans, Spanish people, Italians….We’re here to accommodate everyone.
BESTSELLING ITEM: The fedora.
MIKE’S COFFEE SHOP OR PRATT COFFEE SHOP: Andy’s Coffee Shop [on DeKalb near Vanderbilt].
TIPS OR SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Please come visit Fort Greene. It’s a nice, diverse community — nice restaurants, nice people.
Malchijah Hats is at 225 DeKalb Ave., between Adelphi and Clermont (tel. 718/643-3269). Open Monday through Saturday from noon to 8:30pm, Sunday from 1 to 7pm.