Our Story (2024)

High Hats was founded in 2010 as a Christian family-owned small antique business in New Paris, Ohio. One question that is frequently asked is, "How was the name 'High Hats' selected?"

The name "High Hats"was selected in memory of the owner’s grandmother, a direct descendant of theold British Davenport & Leary family. Among hertypical daily English phrases and vocabulary, Grandmother Price often used the term, "high hats.""High Hats" is a British slangterm referencing and originating from the affluent men ofearly England. Years ago, wealthyand sociallycelebrated menwore verytall tophats- the taller the hat, the higher thegentleman's affluence and rankin society. Hence, the term 'high hats'.

The Davenports were true English "high hats."Interestingly and despite being blue-blood British, the Davenports were good friends and business partners with Martha and George Washington during the American Revolution period.

By the late 1800s, theterm "high hats"referred more to someone (ironically, both men and women at this time)who were socially snobbish because of their wealthand prestige. It was common for thevery wealthy and affluent people at that time to socially (and rudely)separate themselves from the lower classes. By the early twentieth century the term "high hats"became more of a verb and referencedthe action of being snubbed or rudelyignored. In the 1920s and into the 1940s it was a common American phrase tosay, "I've been high hatted" or "She has a case of the high hats"-meaningyou werepurposely ignored or snubbed, but not necessarily because of social standing anymore.

Grandmother Price often used the term "high hats"and her grandchildren found humor in the expression. As a tribute, the owners of High Hats selected this nameto commemorate the family's spirited and fun-lovingmatriarch, Elizabeth Marie Leary-Price (1906-2001). Since Grandmother Price was also a fine pianist and appreciated music, a piano sits in the lobby at High Hats in her honor. Customers areinvited to take a moment to play the piano andsharetheir musical talents with everyone.

High Hats was incorporatedin 2012 in Ohioand later incorporatedinIndiana. OnFebruary 16,2013 High Hats opened "High Hats Antique Mall & GiftGallery," a 10,000square foot showroomin the Historic Depot District in Richmond, Indiana with nearly 100 registered vendors, merchants, and consigners. In January 2016, High Hats made a decision to re-locate the antique business to Cambridge City, Indiana, the heart of Indiana's Antique Alley. In February 2016 High Hats LLCpurchased an 1850 era former bank and drug storebuildingat 131 WestMain Streetandrealigned their merchandise toa finer selectionof earlyantiques and primitives. A decision was made to close the Richmond store in February 2016 to focus on the Cambridge City location. High Hats officially openedthe Cambridge City store (High Hats Antique Mall)on April 1, 2016. Today, the High Hats Antique Mallin Cambridge City features a large ground floor selection ofquality primitives, furniture,andantiques from some of the area'sfinest collectors and antique dealers.

The second level at High Hats features The Gallery Room plus three additional rooms of exclusive shopping. The Gallery Room offer shoppers a wide selection ofglassware, antique linens,furniture, and antiques- allattractively displayed beneath thebuilding's early Victorian stained glass skylight which has been delicately illuminated once again torevealits romantic splendor andbeauty. Adjoining theThe Gallery Roomare three additional rooms of primitive design accessories anddécor and unique gift itemsand furniture- thus making High Hatsa trulypleasurable shopping experience.

To help make your antique shopping more pleasurable, High Hats offers The Inn at High Hatswhere guests can stay right in the heart of Indiana's Antique Alley- just steps from numerous antique shops and fine eateries. Perched on the second floor of the High Hats Antique Mall building, The Inn at High Hatsis located in the former 1850 era Business Officeof theSam Hoshour Drug Store. Sam Hoshour Drug Store was Indiana's finest drug store and popular stage coach stopover and tourist attractionduring the early days of National Road horse and carriage travel. The Inn at High Hatsfeatures a comfortable and beautifully appointed guestsuite for weekend guests, corporate travelers, special getaways, or any other occasion where unique and affordable home-away-from-home accommodations are desired. Guests can relax in the antique adornedParlor Room, have coffee or tea at the old dining table overlooking Main Street with cookies from Great Granny's old cookiejar, orrest comfortably in theVictorian Parisian bedroom. Contact High Hats for inn vacancies or to reserve the suite for your special over night occasion or event.

In April 2016 a local newspaper featured an article about the numerous antique shops in Cambridge City- including High Hats. The article mentioned Cambridge City as being one of the prime shopping areas (and hiddenjewels)along the Indiana Antique Alley for fine antiques and primitives. Interestingly, the article became syndicated andhas attracted visitors from coast to coast to Cambridge City for antique shopping. Since the syndicated article released, other magazines and newspapers have featured similar articlesmentioning Cambridge City, High Hats, and the Antique Alley trail through Indiana.

For information about becoming a High Hats vendor or merchant, please visit ourCambridge Cityshowroom or click thebutton below todirectly email ourbusiness office.

The owners of High Hatsthank you for visiting Cambridge City, and invite you to visit the many other antique shops and antique malls along the Main Street corridor. While in Cambridge City, make sure tostop and enjoy a mealor a snack at one of the awesome eateriesin town. The many flavors of ice cream or the homemade cookies from the local ice cream parlor is also a special treat.

Whether it's a girl's day out or a day of quality family time, weare pretty confident you will makeCambridge City (and High Hats) your newfavorite place to visit. And, The Inn at High Hats is here should you decide to spend the night. Wishing you safe travels.