Biltmore still around?

[Bingles]

Is everything well over at the Biltmore company? In my quest for summer hats, I have found it harder and harder to located Biltmore hats. Every time I order one, it seems the style I want is discontinued.. and no new hats seem to be appearing on the market from Biltmore.

Anyone know anything? [huh]

 

[zetwal]

Have you tried contacting them directly?

Phone Toll Free: 1-800-265-8382
Fax Toll Free: 1-800-387-4287

General Inquiries:
Debbie Spadafore
info@biltmorehats.com

Factory Outlet Store & Museum Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday evenings by appt. only.
shop@biltmorehats.com

 

[Rick Blaine]

I thought that many the Millers' own brand, fur felt, panama & milan were made by Biltmore...

 

[Mr E Train]

I thought that many the Millers' own brand, fur felt, panama & milan were made by Biltmore...

They are. I bought one from them just a few months ago. Very nice hat and a great value.

 

[Bingles]

Have you tried contacting them directly?

Phone Toll Free: 1-800-265-8382
Fax Toll Free: 1-800-387-4287

General Inquiries:
Debbie Spadafore
info@biltmorehats.com

Factory Outlet Store & Museum Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday evenings by appt. only.
shop@biltmorehats.com

Haha.. yes, I did send off an email. Never got a response. Though.. one never knows what becomes of a message once one clicks "send".

 

[besdor]

Biltmore is still in business although they are having a tough time. A lot of vendors are not happy with the arrangements that Biltmore has right now and are starting to look at other sources. Most of the bodies must be bought in advance and then the hats must be trimmed. Other companies have the fur in stock at all times.
It is a shame that they are in a bad situation as they make a fine hat. Their silk , suede and velour finishes are top notch. But now that have risen in price and arent the "good deal" that they used to be.

Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[Chainsaw]

It's funny the guy that I bought my Biltmore from a few years ago, told me Biltomre had gone out of business.

The old soul of Biltmore retired I guess, I think they closed in mid-2000, and then was re-opened for a new market, with the help of an American fellow.

It's a shame that the life of a trade, or style, or era is finite. I believe they provide the hat's for our RCMP (Mouties) so hopefully they'll be able to stay alive.

 

[Bingles]

Biltmore is still in business although they are having a tough time. A lot of vendors are not happy with the arrangements that Biltmore has right now and are starting to look at other sources. Most of the bodies must be bought in advance and then the hats must be trimmed. Other companies have the fur in stock at all times.
It is a shame that they are in a bad situation as they make a fine hat. Their silk , suede and velour finishes are top notch. But now that have risen in price and arent the "good deal" that they used to be.

Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

Thanks, Steven.. I had a feeling something like this was the cause. Shame.. I hope all works well for them.

 

[St.Ignatz]

My wife and I visited Biltmore in Guelph, Ont. this past summer. It's not far from Toronto. The pickings were slim and the felt was stiff. There was no "hum" to the place. I liked the Biltmore product and we HAD a good source in Philadelphia until last fall. Let's hope they get adequate backing so they can get back to their previous high standards. The Biltmore website changes with the seasons but I think the hatters listed may be a bit out of date.
Tom D.

 

[zetwal]

More info -

http://news.guelphmercury.com/article/622721

 

[tonyb]

Thanks for posting that link, zetwal.

Gotta wonder what the company has in assets. Real estate? Factory equipment? Materials?

The story says he's sitting on something like $400K in orders. What sort of profit that might mean I surely don't know.

 

[wgiceman]

I have three Biltmore products and each one is a very nice product. I hope the company makes it through.

 

[bil_maxx]

There are definitely still in business. I was in a hat shop in Toronto, and they had just received some hats from them. However, the quality seemed to be lacking and the store salesmen gently steered me away from them. Pity.

 

[besdor]

Biltmore is now owned by Dorfman Pacific. What this will mean in the future is uncertain. However, the company is now in full production and is back in business making good hats. It will increase their distribution greatly.
They would have gone out of busniess if not for the merger.


Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[Dewhurst]

Cheers for Dorfman Pacific in keeping the Biltmore folks around.

An uncertain future, but at least things are moving for now.

 

[Mr E Train]

Hot off the presses.

http://www.guelphmercury.com/News/Local/article/686990

The last line worries me, "a one year agreement to keep the hat maker at its current Morris Street location."

 

[Dewhurst]

The last line worries me, "a one year agreement to keep the hat maker at its current Morris Street location."

Why would it? Considering all the amazing luck they have had at their current location...

Sad to say, but a change of scenery could do them a little good.

You know how business is.

 

[besdor]

From what I have heard , Dorfman has bigger plans for the company. It is one of only a handful of manufacturing plants for felt hats left in North America. They might try ot get other licenses and produce the hats there in Canada.


Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[azhiker]

Just bought a 'Biltmore Ark"

Hello everyone. I am a fairly new member, and just made a road trip to Chicago to 'Hats-Plus' where I purchased my first fur felt Fedora. I am the proud owner of a Biltmore Ark, size 7 3/8 in black. I am very satisfied with this product, and am already planning on purchasing another in grey as soon as my pocketbook can stand it. This hat has a very nice finish, and a gorgous sheen. the folks at hats-Plus were very helpful.

 

[Rodkins]

I wish we had a store like that in central Florida. I can't wait to travel to a city with a decent hat store...