Hatters brim with enthusiasm
Staff writer
After shaping cowboy hats for three years out of her home in Marion, Johsie Reid and her business partner, Erin Page, are moving JR Hatters into the former Flint Hills Gold building at 210 E. Main St. in downtown Marion.
Reid shapes and forms crowns, brims, and brim fronts for custom hats. Page makes beaded, leather, and horsehair hatbands that can be purchased to embellish them. She also sells “wild rags,” which are silk neck scarves. The two women often go to shows together.
They are renovating the building and say they hope to be open by April 1 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Reid said they are receiving great support from the community. Other women may be joining them in the future to provide western-themed items such as leatherworks.
“We are excited,” Reid said. “Other interesting things will be coming.”
After working together for two years, the two women said they are delighted with this next step.
“We’re just a couple of girls trying to lift each other up and live our dreams,” Page said.
They are planning an open house sometime in the future.