"After operating a storefront on University Avenue for a couple of years, the couple moved to their current location on Telegraph Avenue in 1980. During its 45 years in the Southside neighborhood, blocks from UC Berkeley's campus, the business became much more than a hat store: It was the exclusive East Bay spot to buy Burning Man tickets during the early days of the festival, and it still sells a number of playa essentials, including ornate goggles, glasses and wigs."
"The owner of Berkeley Hat Company, Carol Lipnick, announced late last week that her beloved Telegraph Avenue business will be closing in the coming months and holding a massive sale of its remaining inventory. A registered nurse by trade, Lipnick fell into the world of hats by accident when she agreed to decorate a stack of Panama hats for her future husband and business partner, Ed Dougherty, in 1976."
"The store is also responsible for the University of California Marching Band's signature flat-brimmed, straw boaters, as well toppers worn by some famous Bay Area residents, ranging from Carlos Santana to Willie Brown. "I cannot remember all the names," Lipnick said of the celebrity clientele over the years. "You know, everybody says a lot about Berkeley, but Berkeley has been very good to me," Lipnick said, recalling the community, longtime customers and employees who became like family."
Berkeley Hat Company on Telegraph Avenue will close in the coming months and hold a large sale of its remaining inventory. Carol Lipnick, a registered nurse, began decorating Panama hats in 1976 and launched the business with her future husband, Ed Dougherty. The store moved to Telegraph Avenue in 1980 and operated for 45 years near UC Berkeley. The shop served as an early Burning Man ticket outlet and sold playa essentials like ornate goggles, glasses and wigs. The store produced UC Marching Band straw boaters and crafted toppers for local celebrities. Lipnick credited Berkeley, longtime customers and employees for sustained support.
Read at SFGATE
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