Maybe it’s good inventory since their hats may always be in style.
Every Jewish man and married woman cover their heads outside, so there is a greater demand.
Maybe some people are loyal to the hat store owners that they knew.
Maybe before moving to Lakewood, the hat store owners owned a hat store business in a more remote area. Despite more stores in the area, they figured that Hashem is in charge of parnassah anyway and they had faith that Hashem wanted them to continue their business.
Maybe selling hats is a good way to get to know *big heads* in the community. As in, selling hats to the leading rabbi or mayor helped make strong connections.
Hat stores may appeal to any generation and age. Even little kids can get fun kippot or headbands^
^Dunno what they sell at Lakewood hat stores besides hats but I assume that they at least cater to children and make additional sales for the small stuff too, maybe. Maybe not. Please correct me if my hypothesis is incorrect.
….and the Winner is… because Hat Stores were the next step to open up for new immigrants.
Jewish immigrants came to NY in waves.
In time they moved out into other neighborhoods and NJ. As trains made traveling outside of NY practical.
American Jewish Immigration:
After spending their money for the boat ship across the ocean, many Jewish immigrants often took factory jobs in the garment industry.
Sometimes they got to work up to become tailors. All they needed to carry was their needle. Many Jews already had a keen eye for studying Torah and reading. Jobs that focused on the details were fitting.
Of course there were also Jews that had bigger sights. They came to America and wanted a piece of the dream. So they started their own businesses.
Typically these enterprising Jewish men started by carrying their wares on their back. One-man shows. They had a sack of common necessities. Maybe scarves and hats too. They traveled around the streets and markets selling what they could.
From there, they could get a cart. A horse with cart. And the few who made it, like really made it, opened up their own stores. A retail location.
They sold what people needed. People traveling through the area and new residents often needed hats. Sometimes hats needed to be replaced. Or they were gifts. Every child comes B”H with a head. Every Jewish head in time b’esrat Hashem would need to be covered.
I am guessing that the hat shops of today may have been inherited as well. The children who grew up in and out of his or her parent’s shop is now running the show.
Hopefully this explains some of the history of today’s roots. I don’t know of Lakewood’s hat store owners personally. I do know that there is more to a story than our personal experience. We are another link in a chain. Maybe at least one shop’s story fits in here.
Have you thought to ask the hat store owner?