The Missing Piece — Local services in Kansas City

Went here today with my husband who wanted to find a couple of hats. It was our first visit and I was nervous going based on the reviews. However, I saw the signs at the front upon entering detailing expectations, put on a mask and went in. We worked with the woman I assume many negative reviews refer to and she reminded me of many elders in my family or community. Yes, she had to tell two people who entered after my husband and I that they needed a mask. She was stern, but not rude. I think she might have come off rude to a person who is not used to having rules enforced. My husband and I were fine as we are both used to being redirected by elders. She asked what we were looking for and educated us on the difference between hats and caps and the different style names. We asked before handling the merchandise and was prepared to wear a head cover before trying on. Yes, it’s not your normal shopping experience when compared to a big box retailer, but I didn’t think their rules were too restrictive. They actually allowed us to learn. In the end my husband found a cap he liked, bought it and our purchase went fine. We both enjoyed the encounter and will return in the future. They have a great selection, are priced competitively and are knowledgable on head wear. If you are okay with respecting the rules they have in place, I think you’ll have an enjoyable experience too....

The help was very rude. From reading comments it appears that if you are lucky enough to be waited on by Michael himself (presumably the owner) then you can count on a good experience. However, if you have the misfortune to run afoul of his employees, you will likely be treated rudely. I was prepared to spend some money on a good quality hat. But I made the mistake of carefully picking one up by the top rather than the brim. I was told to not do that, which was fine, but then one of the bitter old gals made a comment to the other that "people have no hat etiquette". Ya think?!?!? I own several nice dress fedoras that I wear to work all the time, but I had no idea that there even was a "hat etiquette". How about nicely explaining why one should not pick up a hat from the top. Oh wait, I guess the average person off the street is just supposed to know why. Anyway, I left the store immediately after being treated like an ignorant rube and will never set foot in there again which is a shame as the inventory is very nice. I did in fact purchase a nice hat later that day but was forced to do so online. Michael, I don't know why you continue to employ the women, but for the sake of your business you should consider finding some...

I had the best experience buying a hat today. There is a prominent sign at the entrance to the store indicating the rules of the store. After we were greeted, we wandered around admiring the hats. We asked the sales lady if we could try on specific hats, she asked us our size, handed us our hats, and helped determined proper fit. Though reserved, she had stories about the hat designers, stories of local musicians. When I decided on a hat, she steamed it and brushed it before carefully arranging it in a proper hat storage box. There was a sheet of instructions for caring for various hats. This store is an mall, it's easy to not realize that it is a proper hat shop with expensive hats. She explained that she asked people not to try on hats because some need a makeup guard to preserve the hat. The sign and the sales lady explained how to pick up a hat without mangling the shape (the opposite of every movie, ever). Excellent customer service, wonderful hats, would recommend this store. And I see why people said the staff were rude. How many times would you have to remind someone the rules that protect the hats before your patience slips? If you go on respecting the hats and the employees, you will be sure to find a...