SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - The Village Hat Shop in Hillcrest is stocking up, in preparation for Opening Day at Del Mar. They expect big crowds of shoppers, all looking for the perfect hat.
"We'll have so many people in here," says Assistant Manager Michael Lester. He spent Friday unpacking boxes and stocking shelves to prepare for the rush.
"Everybody needs a hat. It's all that matters, really. Without the hat, you can't do a Del Mar racing event," he says.
Opening day at the races is Wednesday. The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has a hat contest planned for the afternoon. With the extra demand for hats, the week leading up to the race is crucial for the store's bottom line.
The Village Hat Shop has five stores across the city. They just opened a new in Pacific Beach.
All five of them increased their inventory.
"We have pretty much everything, in every color, in every size," says Lester.
PHOTOS: Hats ready for Opening Day at Del Mar
He says pink will be the "it" color this year, based on early sales. And he's seeing a lot more men come in for fedoras and Panama hats. He also says people should bring in a picture of their outfit to make sure the hat matches.
