W&E; Today provides retailers and manufacturers with education and ideas that provoke innovation in the Western and English markets.
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10 Western & English Today EARLY SPRING 2015 INDUSTRY news Hatco Tips its Brim to Top Retailers Hatco All Around Retailer of the Year, Dick Maday Stetson Hat Retailer of the Year and Resistol Windy Ryon Awards Presented to Outstanding Stores of 2014 Pete's Clothing, winner, Resistol Windy Ryon Award, from left: Jim Shaykett, sales, Resistol; Alberta Krush, Pete's Clothing; Devin Marcum, assistant sales manager, Hatco; Pete Krush, Pete's Clothing; and Ricky Bolin, general manager, Hatco. DENVER, CO. — Hatco, the largest manufacturer of fur felt hats in North America, honored its outstanding retailers at this year's January WESA Market. The Hatco All Around Retailer of the Year, an award for excellence in Western retailing and continued commitment to all of Hatco's Brands, went to Eli's Western Wear. Ricky Bolin, general manager of Hatco, presented the award. "We're very proud to give this award to Eli's Western Wear of Okeechobee, Florida," Bolin said. "Every year, we choose a store that has shown continued commitment to the Western lifestyle and the Hatco brands. No one's done better this year than Eli's Western Wear." Eli's Western Wear Clothing is owned by Roland and Linda Durrance and is operated by Rafe and Kristi Durrance . It has been family owned and operated since 1983. A second location opened in Arcadia, Florida, in 1992, and a third in 1996 in Dundee, Florida. Eli's supports numerous local and national nonprof t organizations through both monetary and product donations. The Dick Maday Stetson Hat Retailer of the Year went to Alcala's Western Wear of Chicago. Alcala's is the f rst to receive the new award, a bronze sculpture of "The Last Drop," the famous Stetson painting by Lon Megargee. Stetson comissioned Mary Michael of Bridger, Mont., to create the sculpture, and Bob Burkhart of Bozeman, Mont., to cast it in bronze. The sculpture not only honors Stetson's top retailer; it marks Stetson's 150th anniversary. Founded by Luis Alcala in 1972, Alcala's Western Wear is one of the largest retailers of Western wear in the Midwest, of ering the largest selection of quality Western boots. Step inside and be wowed by 5,000 hats and 8,000 pairs of boots stacked high to the ceiling. Alcala's Western Wear, winner, Dick Maday Stetson Hat Retailer of the Year, from left: Devin Marcum, assistant sales manager, Stetson; Richard Alcala, Alcala's Western Wear; Dick Maday, legendary Stetson salesman (retired); Ricky Bolin, general manager, Stetson; and Rick Laporte, sales, Stetson. The Windy Ryon is an award given each year by Resistol to a chosen retailer that has excelled in Western retailing and has had continued commitment to the Resistol brand. Ricky Bolin, general manager of Hatco and maker of Resistol Hats, presented the award to Pete Krush and his wife, Alberta, in Denver, Colorado, during the annual WESA market . "Pete and Alberta have shown exceptional commitment through 60 years of superior service, and we'd like to honor that today with this award," Bolin said. Pete's Clothing is located in Belle Fourche, S.D., and has been family-run for more than 60 years. Hatco, the largest manufacturer of fur felt hats in North America, has been in business since 1927 and in Garland, Texas, since 1938. It manufactures hats under numerous brands, including Stetson, Resistol, Charlie 1 Horse and Wrangler, making hats for everyone from cowboys to presidents. Eli's Western Wear, winner, Hatco All Around Retailer of the Year, from left: Rafe Durrance, Eli's Western Wear; Kristi Durrance, Eli's Western Wear; Jef Sanford, sales, Hatco; Ricky Bolin, general manager, Hatco; and Devin Marcum, assistant sales manager, Hatco.