Shudde Bros. Made and Sold Hats in Houston

Shudde Bros. Hatters is a family-owned and operated hat shop that has a history of over 115 years. The store first opened in 1907. Al Shudde, a teenager who was passionate about hats, founded the company. Al’s four brothers came to work there too, and the company became Shudde Bros. Hatters.

Moving West

The store operated in downtown Houston for 100 years. In 1914, the Shudde brothers made hats in a factory close to its downtown location. The factory produced hats for both Shudde Bros. Hatters and other hat shops around the country. It has remained family-owned.

Shudde Bros. Hatters was a popular destination for both men and women in the early 20th century. The store offered a wide variety of hats, including fedoras, bowlers, and cowboy hats. Shudde Bros. Hatters also had a reputation for providing excellent customer service.

The store continued to be successful in the years following World War II. However, as the popularity of hats declined in the 1960s, Shudde Bros. Hatters faced some challenges. The company closed its downtown location in 1977, but it remained open in a smaller store in the Galleria area.

In 1995, Neal Shudde, the grandson of Al Shudde, took over the business. Neal is a third-generation hatter, and he is keeping the Shudde Bros. Hatters tradition alive. The store now operates out of a location in Brookshire, Texas, about 40 miles west of Houston.

Shudde Bros. Hatters is still a popular destination for hat lovers today. The store offers a wide variety of hats, and it also provides hat cleaning and repair services. Neal Shudde is proud to continue the Shudde Bros. Hatters legacy, and he is committed to providing his customers with the best possible hat-fitting experience.

Famous Hats on Famous Heads

Here are some of the notable customers of Shudde Bros. Hatters over the years:

Sam Houston
John Wayne
Roy Rogers
Gene Autry
Tom Mix
Ernest Tubb
Dr. “Red” Duke
Shudde Bros. Hatters is a Texas treasure, and it is a testament to the Shudde family’s dedication to the art of hat making. The store is a must-visit for anyone who loves hats or who is interested in Texas history.