Henri Henri is the Montreal hat shop that has defined a century of style

Walking into Henri Henri is walking into a piece of Montreal history.

For over 90 years, this iconic hat shop has crowned the heads of the city’s most stylish, the world’s biggest celebrities, and more than a few NHL legends. Dating back to an era when hats weren’t just accessories but statements of identity, it's come a long from humble beginnings in 1932 to becoming a cornerstone of the city’s sartorial landscape—and its role in defining the term "hat trick" along the way.

Born in the Red Light District

Henri Henri was founded by Honorius Henri and Jean-Maurice Lefebvre in 1932, right in the heart of Montreal’s Red Light District. They seized the opportunity to open a shop that specialized in men’s headwear, initially selling brands from the Wolthausen Hat Corporation.

Committed to quality craftsmanship and personalized service, Henri Henri quickly established itself as the go-to destination for Montrealers seeking classic fedoras, elegant homburgs, and durable bowlers. As fashion evolved, so did the store, expanding its selection to include international brands like Stetson, Borsalino, and the "Godfather of British hatmaking" Christys’, ensuring that generations of customers could find a hat that fit their style.

By the 1940s, Henri Henri was a cultural fixture. With its location near Saint-Laurent Boulevard, it catered to a diverse clientele, serving both French and English speakers, as well as immigrants who brought their own styles and traditions into the fold. Over time, the shop became synonymous with Montreal fashion, attracting everyone from business executives to bohemians, cab drivers to crooners.

But beyond everyday Montrealers donning Henri Henri’s hats, the store’s clientele reads like a Hollywood Walk of Fame, where a 'Golden Book' of famous customers includes an impressive array of notable figures spanning entertainment, sports, and politics: Marlon Brando, Brad Pitt, Robert De Niro, Donald and Kiefer Sutherland, and Diane Dufresne have all been known to shop here. Musicians like Green Day, Jean Leloup, and Louis-Jean Cormier are regular patrons, with the latter being described as "one of our most enthusiastic ambassadors." During a visit from Belgian artist Stromae, the shop was featured in his documentary Stromae dans la cour des grands.

This tradition of serving the famous continues a legacy that dates back decades.

The birth of the hat trick

Few people realize that the term “hat trick” owes its origins, at least in part, to Henri Henri: Between the 1940s and 1970s, when the NHL was still a six-team league, the store would reward any player who scored three goals in a single game at the Montreal Forum with a free hat.

It's a tradition that was built upon the early 20th century custom of Montrealers tipping their hats in appreciation of excellent performances. Fans would purchase hats from Henri Henri specifically to tip at games.

This tradition was more elaborate than many realize. Between 1940 and 1970, Jean-Maurice Lefebvre would personally go onto the ice to shake hands with the player and present them with a gift certificate redeemable for a hat of their choice. This ceremony was part of a promotional agreement between Henri Henri and the Montreal Forum organization; in exchange for this promotional opportunity, Henri Henri printed free schedules of Montreal Canadiens games for distribution at Esso gas stations throughout the city, and these schedules were printed small enough to be tucked into a hat's sweatband.

This tradition made its way into hockey lexicon and cemented Henri Henri's place in sports history. Legends like Jean Béliveau, Maurice Richard, Gordie Howe, and Phil Esposito all walked through Henri Henri's doors to claim their prizes. Other notable recipients included Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull from the Chicago Black Hawks, and Norm Ullman from the Detroit Red Wings.

The ritual's since faded from hockey, but the connection between hats and the game remains strong—whenever a modern-day hat trick happens, you'll still see the ice littered with headwear.

Evolving with the times

In the 1960s, then-owner André Lefebvre modernized the store's selection, introducing new fabrics and styles to keep up with changing fashion trends.

When the father-son duo of Yannig and Joël Plunier took over in 2016, they updated the shop, expanding its online presence while maintaining its connections to traditions. The shop now caters to a broader audience, including a younger clientele drawn to Kangol, Göttmann, and upscale ball caps, alongside the timeless Borsalinos and Stetsons.

The most popular products at the shop showcase a mix of traditional and modern aesthetics. Their signature creation, the Alexis Fur Felt Teardrop Fedora, dominates their sales charts thanks to its classic silhouette and diverse color options, crafted from premium rabbit fur felt known for its longevity and water-repelling properties.

Among traditional fedoras, the Stetson Stratoliner Fur Felt Hat—inspired by the golden age of civil aviation—and Borsalino's Federico Quito Panama Straw Hat remain perennial favourites.

For younger customers, popular caps include the Jackson KG winter flat cap by Göttmann, Kangol's iconic Tropic 507 summer ducktail cap, and Stetson Europe's Hatteras Herringbone Wool Newsboy Cap.

Custom hat-making has also become a key part of the store's identity. Master hatmaker Sylvain Labbé crafts bespoke pieces tailored to each customer, ensuring the perfect fit and style.

The store also offers a rare hat cleaning and reblocking service, preserving vintage headwear and keeping classic pieces in circulation.

If it's great, it doesn't go out of style

In an era when so many historic businesses have shuttered, Henri Henri stands as a rare survivor. A banker looking for a sharp fedora, a musician hunting for the perfect pork pie, a tourist eager to take home a piece of Montreal history—the store remains for them all.

Sure, the hats have changed, the faces behind the counter have shifted, but the spirit of Henri Henri's craftsmanship and service endures.

Henri Henri can claim the title of Canada's most venerable hat establishment, and before too long, it will represent a century of hatmaking expertise that has been carefully preserved through successive generations.