New to the lounge and have a question about "Bee" fedoras.

[Colby Jack]

Greetings All...
I've been lurking for a while and finally decided to join. About a year ago, I picked up a "Bee" brand fedora at a civil war reenactment. I think it set me back about $20. It's a size 7 1/2 (my size), dark brown and on the inside band says it's a "Roma". Can anyone give me any info on these hats?
Greatly appreciated...
Colby Jack

 

[J. M. Stovall]

I had a few Bee brand open road style hats that I gave to Art last year. They seemed to be good quality, just too small for my head.

 

[deanglen]

Welcome to the Lounge. Someone should be able to help you.

dean

 

[RBH]

Welcome to the Lounge.
Hope you enjoy your stay.

 

[funneman]

Bee Hats

I know it's not felt, but I just picked up a Bee straw.

It appears to be pretty recent. I am happy with the construction and styling, but I'm sure the Bee name is now owned by Stetson or Resistol.

I do recall vintage fur felt Bee feodoras being highly regarded in various
threads here on the lounge.

 

[FourKingTwenty]

You should be able to find some threads that mention Bee hats.

I don't know if the Bee name is owned by another company. The company moved out of the Bee Hat Company Building at 1021 Washington Ave. in St. Louis in 2000. I thought they had closed, but I read that they moved to 2839 Olive St. in St. Louis. I don't know if they're still there or not.

The Bee Hat Buliding has been renovated and is now commercial space and lofts. You can find a some information about the building online.

I have a couple of "Bee Cool" straw hats and a fedora that I got around the time they moved out. They were selling off hats very cheap to benefit a charity called Heat Up/Cool Down St. Louis. I really like them, and I think they're nice hats. Of course, I'm not an expert or big hat connoisseur like some of the other people here in the Fedora Lounge.

 

[Colby Jack]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I read somewhere about the Bee hat co. building being sold off and made into upscale condos, but I didn't know if anyone acquired the name. it's a great hat, really comfortable and fits just right....