All In The Family

Bon Ton Hatters on 20th Street downtown, was founded in 1907 and the shop has remained in the Callis family.  It is like stepping back in time. These old chairs could tell some tails. 

No Plastic!

It would be hard to swipe your card on that thing!

Bon Ton Hatters

219 20th Street North

Birmingham, AL

Tools of the Trade

The shoeshine guys at Bon Ton Hatters downtown, go through a lot of polish. 

Shoeshine Guy

When my friend Bob Crowe was here last week from St. Louis, he noted that we had two shoeshine establishments within a block of each other in downtown Birmingham.  He thought this quite remarkable in this day and age.  For this photographer, it's an never ending source of material.  Here's one of the nice  guys at Bon Ton Hatters.

Birmingham Rouge - Bon Ton Hatters

Step inside Bon Ton Hatters on 20th downtown, and it's like stepping back in time.  You can get your shoes shined by some really nice guys or repaired by owner Jimmy Callis.  I would venture it's the only place left in town that cleans and refurbishes hats.  The hat shelf is my favorite, for obvious reasons.

Bon Ton Hatters

219 20th Street North

7:30-4 Mon-Fri

Bon Ton Hatters, since 1907, a step back in time.

Shoe Shine, One Dollar

Bon Ton Hatters has been in business since 1907. Today it's the only shop in Birmingham where you can have a hat cleaned or reshaped. They also offer shoe repairs in the back and for a buck, you can have your shoes shined right here. I took this photo through the windown when they were closed, but I've posted photographs here .

Caps For Sale

A visit to Bon Ton Hatters on 20th Street North, is like stepping back in time.  You are greeted by several of the most personable shoeshine guys you will ever want to meet.   In addition to shines and shoe repairs, Bon Ton has been in business for as long as I can remember cleaning, steaming,  and blocking hats.  These days, I am surprised that they get many calls for that service,  but apparently there are quite a few dapper men running around Birmingham in some mighty fine chapeaus!  This case with its unusual array of headgear caught my eye.  Wouldn't you just love to meet the gentlemen that wear these ?    Isn't it refreshing to know that these long standing businesses are still providing the services that made them a Birmingham tradition.  So which hat is your favorite?