In a 1941 article about a Revolutionary War-time Wilmington tavern building:
OLDEST HAT STORE--Down about 50 feet and in the same building is the oldest hat store in America, that is the oldest hat store still in business. Its proprietor is 80-year old Albert DuBell, who took over the business when his brother died at the turn of the century. Previously Mr. DuBell was a clerk in the store, which has been operating for more than 85 years.
The business was bad during the depression, according to Mr. DuBell, but now it seems to be picking up--now that the young men have discovered that its relatively good sense to wear hats during the wintertime. Back in the 1900's was when the business was really at its peak. That was the time of mandolin clubs and uproarious political meetings and easily-crushed debies, which had to be replaced every month or so.
"But times aren't what they were," says he, "Wilimington is a big town now, not like it used to be. There's a sort of friendliness missing now, but I guess that comes with the growth of a town to a city. I don't know. Sometimes I like it modern, but I can't help thinking how pleasant it was in days gone by, when the hitching posts were in demand and the streets were bumpy, but rather safe on the whole."
Amd so Mr. DuBell sits in his store and dreams of the past, and the old third floor rooms of the Sign of the Ship are dark and dusty. On Market street there are trackless trolleys and neon signs, and plate glass windows, making the Wilmington of yesterday fade quickly into the haze of reminisence, and the shadowy distance of memory..."
(PLEASE NOTE: This excerpt is posted here for educational purposes only. Kindly do not copy this into an auction or sale site)
