By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Apr 26, 2011 at 7:13 AM

Need a new lid? Look no further than Bay View!

On Saturday, May 7, Bay View will welcome The Brass Rooster, a new hat and accessories store for men. The shop, at 2479 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., will stock hats of all kinds, including pork pie, derby, bowler, fedoras, newsboys, felt, straw and more. Plus, retro cuff links, shaving mugs and brushes, leather belts and more will be available.

A grand opening party is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. featuring appetizers from The Packing House, 900 E. Layton Ave. Anyone who buys a hat during the party will receive a $10 Packing House gift certificate.

Following the grand opening, an "after party" will take place at The Packing House from 9 p.m. to midnight with drink specials and live music from torch singer Channel Le Meau.

Milwaukeeans Kate and John McLaughlin own the shop. For nine years, Kate has worked for the Milwaukee Repertory Theater as the craft supervisor and milliner, and John has been in the retail and service industry for a decade.

"The Brass Rooster is designed to help customers express themselves without saying a word," says Kate.

The Brass Rooster is the second specialty hat shop in Milwaukee. I wrote an article about another hat stop, City Life Boutique, in January.


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.