CULLMAN, Ala. – What began as a personal project has grown into a full creative business for Stephanie King, owner of Split Tree Designs Hat Bar, a custom hat shop now operating inside Studio K and Co. in the Klein Building. If you’re looking for the perfect statement piece to express yourself, support a local business and have a fun experience while doing so, the Hat Bar is the perfect place for you.
King said the idea for her business came about after she purchased a hat and was not satisfied with it. Eventually deciding to create her own, she soon began making hats for others, too. Early orders often included memorial pieces or personal elements, and the joy customers expressed motivated her to continue her creative journey.
Split Tree Designs gets its name from the view outside King’s home workspace. “I sat at my big window, and at the end of our driveway, there was a tree that had split,” she said. “I was always looking at that tree, so that’s why I named it Split Tree Designs.”
Balancing the business with her medical field job has been challenging. Her goal is to devote more time to the hat bar. She said her daughter offered her space in the salon, allowing the shop to grow.
King designs fully custom fedora and western-style hats, often incorporating unique materials and elements that make an impression and feel personalized. “This hat I’m currently wearing is made from my husband’s blue jeans,” she said, explaining that each creation can be personalized with charms, florals, chains, embellishments or even hand-burned designs. She also creates custom trucker hats, belt bags, children’s items, koozies and pressed-patch accessories.
Currently, trucker hats are her most popular items, especially at festivals, and custom western and fedora styles remain favorites in the shop.
King participates in as many local festivals and Chamber of Commerce events as possible and said she can also “bring the party” to customers by traveling with her supplies for team-building events, private parties or children’s groups.
King said costs vary depending on the hat material and design complexity. Simple embellishments start around $20-$25, while fully customized hats with elements like hand-burned, intricately sewn designs, can reach prices nearing $145. Most customers can expect to spend around $100 for a quality custom hat.
Looking ahead, King said, she hopes to increase community awareness about her business and maintain a more consistent shop schedule. “My goal is to let Cullman know this is a fun place for the community to gather, build, create and leave with something they love,” she said.
King said customers can reach her most easily through social media, where she stays highly active on Facebook Messenger and Instagram. Split Tree Designs offers items for men, women and children, and King said she welcomes anyone interested in creating something unique.
Get more information at www.splittreedesigns-hatbar.com.
