Raleigh’s Village District welcomes Rancher Hat Bar, an inspired shopping experience where customers can create one-of-a-kind cowboy hats, complete with feathers, ribbons, charms, and personalized branding.
By Dathan Kazsuk
There’s a first time for everything, and this past weekend, mine involved making my very own cowboy hat.
With ribbons, feathers, charms, and other accessories to choose from, I quickly discovered there’s more to creating a cowboy hat than simply picking one off a mannequin. And that’s exactly what makes Raleigh’s newest retail addition, Rancher Hat Bar, a fun experience.
The Western-inspired retailer officially opened its doors October 9 at Village District, bringing its popular custom hat-making concept to North Carolina for the first time.
Whether you’re looking for something stylish to wear around town, a statement piece for your next country concert, or something to keep on your head while attempting to survive the mechanical bull at PBR Cowboy Bar in Cary, Rancher Hat Bar lets you create something uniquely yours.
From a Vintage Camper to Raleigh
Founded in January 2023 by Shantelle and Kenny Girard, Rancher Hat Bar began as a mobile hat-making experience operating out of a vintage camper. The concept quickly caught on, leading to the opening of its first storefront in Folsom, California, followed by another in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Less than four years later, the company has expanded to 19 locations nationwide, with Raleigh becoming its newest destination.
According to Molly Mejia, who handles brand partnerships and public relations for Rancher Hat Bar, customer interest has largely driven the company’s rapid growth.
“We really just follow the demand,” Mejia says. “We love to follow where people are commenting and interacting with us, and just our customer and audience base.”
Raleigh, she explains, had become one of the company’s most requested markets. With existing locations in Charleston and Savannah, expanding into North Carolina seemed like a natural next step.
“We had a lot of responses for Raleigh,” Mejia says. “Chantel was excited to be really a part of the community in North Carolina and just the culture surrounding the area.”
Creating a Cowboy Hat, One Accessory at a Time
So, what exactly happens when you walk into a hat bar? Let me explain.
First, you’re greeted by the store’s knowledgeable staff, appropriately called “hat tenders,” who help guide you through the entire creative process.
The experience begins with selecting your hat off the wall. You’ll find different styles, colors, shapes, and price points, from approachable everyday options to premium Western hats, including selections from recognizable brands such as Stetson and American Hat Co.
During my visit, I had the opportunity to craft my very first cowboy hat, and I quickly found myself exploring an impressive collection of accessories. Ribbons and hatbands, feathers, decorative charms, playing cards, and countless other options could add personality to a plain cowboy hat.
For my first cowboy hat, I went with a black hat from American Hat Makers, dressed up with a burgundy-red hatband, a decorative metal chain featuring a “rock on” charm, and an Ace of Spades playing card in honor of the late, great Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead. I topped it off with a couple of matches and a gray guitar pick. Apparently, you can put me in a cowboy hat, but you can’t take the rocker out of me.
You can even personalize your hat with branding, adding initials, names, symbols, or other designs to make it even more distinctive.
The choices can feel overwhelming at first, especially when you’re trying to figure out which accessories work well together. Fortunately, the staff is there to help bring your ideas together, offer suggestions, and make sure the finished product looks the way you envisioned.
“They’re your personal guide throughout the whole experience,” Mejia explains. “We want this to extend more outside of a one-time shop and go. We want it to be something that’s personalized and reminds you of a moment in time.”
And for someone who had never created a cowboy hat before, I found the entire process surprisingly enjoyable. There’s something satisfying about starting with a relatively simple hat and watching it transform into something that reflects your own personality.
Mejia says some customers come in knowing exactly what they want and finish their hats in about 30 minutes. Others turn it into a social outing with friends, spending an hour or two browsing accessories, comparing designs, and enjoying the experience together.
Western Style for Everyone
Although cowboy hats have deep roots in Western culture, Rancher Hat Bar doesn’t cater exclusively to ranchers, rodeo riders, or country music enthusiasts.
Mejia says the company’s goal has always been to introduce a modern approach to a traditional American accessory while respecting its heritage.
Some customers are looking for the perfect hat for a concert or festival. Others want a fashionable accessory they can incorporate into their everyday wardrobe.
“I think that’s truly the beauty of Rancher: we really do make it approachable and accessible to everyone,” Mejia says. “It doesn’t feel like you just bought a hat. It feels like something you created.”
As for what’s trending, Mejia says neutral shades such as silver belly, fawn, and gunmetal remain among the company’s most popular hat colors. Traditional cattleman-style hats are also strong sellers, although more adventurous customers continue to gravitate toward vibrant blues, pinks and reds.
And since this is Raleigh, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few Wolfpack red, Duke blue, or Carolina blue creations appearing around town.
More Than Just Cowboy Hats
While cowboy hats are the main attraction, Rancher Hat Bar also offers a custom trucker hat station and a bandana charm necklace bar, giving visitors several ways to express their creativity.
Rancher Hat Bar welcomes walk-in customers, although reservations are recommended during busier periods. The company also accommodates private parties, corporate gatherings, weddings, and bachelorette celebrations, with mobile hat bars available for off-site events.
For me, the biggest surprise was how much fun I had putting together something I had never really considered making before.
Now the only question is where to wear it first.
