Herbin Co., Herb Rhedrick’s luxury hat brand, opens store in Phipps Plaza
Herb Rhedrick III, a Charlotte, North Carolina native and graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, charted an unconventional path to entrepreneurship. With a degree in Chemical Engineering and a diverse background that spans IT startups and tech giants like Google, Rhedrick’s trajectory shifted in 2019 during a trip to Paris.
“I had a hat from my dad, an old Bailey’s classic navy blue hat with an upturned brim, and I lost it during my trip,” Rhedrick recalls. While traveling through Paris and Italy for a couple of weeks, he began paying close attention to the headwear he encountered. The loss of his father’s hat sparked the desire to create something personal. “I wanted to design something modern yet timeless, something that complimented my wardrobe but made me feel elevated,” he explains. Upon returning home, Rhedrick immersed himself in the craft of hat-making, a skill he describes as a “lost art.” What started as a personal endeavor quickly gained momentum when others began buying his handmade creations directly off his head. By November 2019, he had formalized his vision, sketching concepts that would eventually lead to the founding of Herbin Co.
Initially operating out of his garage, Rhedrick honed his craft while leveraging his corporate experience in supply chain management from roles such as product manager at Home Depot. “Understanding how to flow products from supplier to store at a large scale was invaluable,” he explains. “I applied those lessons to Herbin Co. to build the infrastructure for scaling up.”
Herbin Co.’s ascent from garage to retail space began after four and a half years of one-on-one appointments, then the opportunity to open a flagship store in Atlanta’s Phipps Plaza emerged. In July, Herbin Co. debuted its physical location, marking a significant milestone, “Opening at Phipps was one of those moments where opportunity and preparation met,” Rhedrick says. “The journey has been challenging but rewarding. Training new staff and scaling operations has been an amazing experience.”
At its core, Herbin Co. emphasizes more than just products—it’s about creating meaningful connections. “Our clients often mention how much they enjoy the personal interaction,” Rhedrick shares. “Each piece we make has a story. Whether it’s a father and son bonding over hat-making or celebrating milestones with custom designs, these moments of joy and connection define what we do.”
Rhedrick’s passion for storytelling extends into his design ethos. “Take our Dessert Collection, for example,” he says. “It’s inspired by my grandmother’s peach cobbler, which remains unparalleled in my eyes. I wanted to translate that joy into a luxury piece.”
Rhedrick also mentors an apprentice, ensuring the craft is preserved. Beyond the physical products, Herbin Co. hosts monthly events at its store, spotlighting local creatives across disciplines—from musicians to leather workers. “It’s about building community and celebrating creativity,” Rhedrick said.
Herbin Co.’s evolution includes expanding its product offerings, which now feature premium leather goods, scarves, and capsule collections. Yet, Rhedrick remains committed to the brand’s original mission: celebrating urban experiences through storytelling and craftsmanship while uplifting communities.
Looking to the future, Rhedrick envisions growth not just in retail but also in community impact. “I want to expand to new locations and heights while increasing outreach,” he says, “People of all different types of creative aspects, bringing it into one space and kind of just community together and just enjoying these luxury pieces that we create for our community”.
