Home of 10,000 Hats, Sid’s Clothing and Hats to Sell Entire Inventory, Close Its Doors as Owner Retires

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2026
CONTACT: HOWARD BLAIR, (312) 421-3332
or ERIC WOOLSON (515) 681-3967

HOME OF 10,000 HATS, SID’S CLOTHING AND HATS TO SELL ENTIRE INVENTORY, CLOSE AS OWNER RETIRES

CHICAGO – Sid’s Clothing and Hats, a unique retail institution known for its unmatched selection of headwear, will sell its entire inventory as owner Howard Blair retires after more than 50 years in the business and close the doors of a business founded by his father in the late 1950s.

“It’s been an incredible run,” Blair said. “This is more than just a store; it’s been a lifetime of relationships, family and community. But at 75, it’s time for me to step away and enjoy the next chapter.”

The store, which has been operating continuously at 609 W. Roosevelt Road since its opening, will hold a public closing sale beginning from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, and 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday. Regular hours will continue until all inventory is sold.

While the store began as a traditional clothing shop, Blair transformed it into a nationally recognized destination for hats with an inventory of 10,000 pieces. Today, hats account for roughly 80 percent of the store’s business.

“What started with a few hats on a shelf just kept growing,” Blair said. “Before long, people would walk in and say, ‘Where do I even begin?’ That’s where we come in – to help them find the right fit, the right style, the right look.”

Customers have traveled from across the United States – and occasionally beyond – to shop at Sid’s, drawn by its unmatched selection and Blair’s expertise. “We’ve had three generations of customers,” Blair said. “People knew my father, then they came to me, and now their kids come in. That’s what makes this so special.”

Blair joined the business in 1973, initially planning to stay just a year. Instead, that decision turned into a lifelong career spanning more than five decades. “I thought I’d try it for a year,” he said. “Fifty-plus years later, here I am. It just became part of who I am.”

He credits the store’s longevity to its personal approach. “It’s always been a family business, and we treat our customers like family,” he said. “That’s something you don’t always find anymore. I have always had great employees, and my current staff excels in their knowledge of hats and how to assist customers.”

Sid’s Clothing and Hats traces its roots even deeper, with Blair’s grandfather – an immigrant from Russia – establishing himself in Chicago’s clothing trade. That legacy carried through generations, ultimately shaping one of the city’s most distinctive retail experiences.

As he looks ahead, Blair plans to spend more time with his family, including his three grandchildren, stay active with hobbies like bowling, pickleball and softball, and travel with his wife, Randee. “I’m not going to be sitting still,” he said with a smile.

For longtime customers and the Chicago community, the closing marks the end of an era, but also a celebration of a business that defined craftsmanship, service and connection for more than 65 years. “We’re going out at a time when the business is still strong,” Blair said. “That feels right. It’s time to say goodbye – and thank you.”

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