Batsakes Hat Shop — Local services in Cincinnati

These past reviews do have some merit, but mainly just the old fashioned feel part. The owners are quite abrasive, they would really like it if the people that came in were looking to buy a hat and not acting like it was a museum. I've bought two hats from there, and I always make it a point to wear those hats there so they know I'm not wasting their time. But I mainly go get my shoes shined now which is very nice, I also brush up on my Greek because that's where the owners are from and always appreciate the effort. My first experience was odd, I went with my girlfriend and we were followed throughout the store, I was mainly taking in everything and after a quick look around I found the woman to be on our tail. Being German I am more used to this than Americans, but it was still odd after getting used to "service with a smile." After she knew I was actually looking for a hat and was wanting to buy she quickly put her guard down. She helped me find exactly what I was looking for on both occasions. If you are going to go here immediately inform the lady of your purpose (first time here and want to see what you have, or I would like to get a hat so I'd like to look around/help me find one now) and she will be much easier than what some other people have said. It was refreshing to see those two give people a taste of their own medicine; while getting my shoes shined I have seen plenty of people walk in and give the owners a history lesson to be proven wrong, but then probably go onto websites and give them bad ratings. I have a friend who works at best buy, and they obviously have to make the customer "always right" so I have heard plenty of stories of angry people telling him a tv is 3D, then buying it and realizing it's not, then returning it and yelling at him for selling the wrong tv....wow. This place is the way it should be, why go into a hat store and not have any intention to buy, or even just to annoy the owners (common occurrence even though there is no value to be gained). So maybe not the best place to browse, but definitely worth it if you are willing to buy or even if you have a future intention and just want to get informed. Just don't expect a walmart experience. The hats are pricey, but for good reason, so don't expect to get away with $20. The shoe shine is great as mentioned and the flash back to a more human time is always...

NO LONGER PROVIDE hat cleaning, blocking and repair. I also suspect they do not appreciate female customers.

I have an Australian Akubra which is a family heirloom, in excellent condition. Took it in to have cleaned and blocked along with another hat to have the band reattached and cleaned/blocked. I walked in while a gentleman was being helped. I was not greeted by Gus or the sales woman. I walked around in the store considering a new hat for myself. I was not asked if I needed any help.

After standing at the counter for about 5 minutes, I took out the hats from my bag and set them on the counter, again patiently waiting. I had plenty of time to wait. Sales woman from across the store shook her head at me and loudly said 'We DON'T clean hats!'. I asked if they did blocking and repairs. Again shaking her head at me 'No no no'. No offer to help me with anything else. Even though they saw me look at other hats. I really had the feeling that it was her way to shoo me from the store. Mind you I was dressed business casual, having just come from my office.

I was shocked, but then again not so shocked. About 4 years ago I went in the store to buy several gift certificates and they were not welcoming to me then. Seemed very suspicious of my generous purchase. When my husband and I returned a month later to spend the certificates on $2,000 worth of hats, they were very nice to my husband, but not...

Friday the 23 March was the 3rd time in my 50 years of living in Cincinnati and i was never talked to like I was the other day. No I didn’t come in with an attitude nor, did I develop one after the older woman that assisted me responded to me when I simply asked, “if you didn’t have the bigger size on hand how long would it take you to get it” and her response was, I don’t know, and she said it like I was bothering her by making her get up to deal with me. Some of you can defend these shop owners but I was for warned years ago of the type of owners that these people are but, it was a nice day, i’m Up in age and went in there wearing a uniform that would appear that I work and have money to spend but, they are tired owners of a business that is in short demand anymore and have to be struggleing to stay afloat in an area that is only alive during the professional time of day and, they show it. I hate to bash and give up on a local shop with this kind of longevity in my area that i live inn but, I will never go in this shop again and spend one penny ever!I really hate to do this to sweet older people but this is the other side of doing bad business and treating every other person differently than you did the last. I’m done and this only solidifies the reason more not to go downtown...