INTELLIGENCE: HATS OFF - AND BACK ON
JOSHUA KNELMAN
September 22, 2007
One could be forgiven for thinking that David Rotman, owner of the venerable Rotman's Hat Shop, was finally throwing in his fur-felt fedora.
Over the past few months, the doors have been closed and rumours spread that one of the last of Spadina Avenue's Jewish retailers was finally closing up shop.
These days, Mr. Rotman's 65-year-old store, on Spadina north of Dundas, is squeezed between discount tech shops and Chinese restaurants.
On a crisp afternoon this week, there were only a few hats behind the yellowed glass and an old chair had been placed in front of the open door.
But just inside sat the man himself, comfortably ensconced in his wheelchair, and chatting amiably with fellow Spadina veteran Joe Heller, owner of Federal Printing.
"We're closed," the 82-year-old Mr. Rotman smiled from the doorway. "Come back in a month."
So what was the story? After six decades, was his business finally coming to an end?
Mr. Rotman's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Are you kidding? Who said anything about closing?" he asked. In fact, Mr. Rotman suffered a stroke earlier this year, which led to a hospital stay and time in rehab. His shop remained dark for more than three months, and now that he's back on the block Mr. Rotman is awaiting fresh supplies. "I'm forced to stay closed until the next delivery from my supplier," he explained. "Someone comes in now and wants a different size or colour, I can't do it."
So a story about the end of the store, Mr. Rotman suggested, would have to wait a while. As evidence, he pointed to a series of newspaper clippings taped to a door. "You know, The Globe has written a lot of stories about me," he said. "I've been here a long time, and I'm not going anywhere."
JOSHUA KNELMAN
September 22, 2007
One could be forgiven for thinking that David Rotman, owner of the venerable Rotman's Hat Shop, was finally throwing in his fur-felt fedora.
Over the past few months, the doors have been closed and rumours spread that one of the last of Spadina Avenue's Jewish retailers was finally closing up shop.
These days, Mr. Rotman's 65-year-old store, on Spadina north of Dundas, is squeezed between discount tech shops and Chinese restaurants.
On a crisp afternoon this week, there were only a few hats behind the yellowed glass and an old chair had been placed in front of the open door.
But just inside sat the man himself, comfortably ensconced in his wheelchair, and chatting amiably with fellow Spadina veteran Joe Heller, owner of Federal Printing.
"We're closed," the 82-year-old Mr. Rotman smiled from the doorway. "Come back in a month."
So what was the story? After six decades, was his business finally coming to an end?
Mr. Rotman's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Are you kidding? Who said anything about closing?" he asked. In fact, Mr. Rotman suffered a stroke earlier this year, which led to a hospital stay and time in rehab. His shop remained dark for more than three months, and now that he's back on the block Mr. Rotman is awaiting fresh supplies. "I'm forced to stay closed until the next delivery from my supplier," he explained. "Someone comes in now and wants a different size or colour, I can't do it."
So a story about the end of the store, Mr. Rotman suggested, would have to wait a while. As evidence, he pointed to a series of newspaper clippings taped to a door. "You know, The Globe has written a lot of stories about me," he said. "I've been here a long time, and I'm not going anywhere."
