Bristol Native's New Sports Caps Store In Downtown New Britain Off To Successful Start

By Ciara Hooks, The Bristol Press

October 12, 2021

New Britain’s newest downtown business, House of Fitteds, had a successful grand opening.

Music rang through the store as everyone checked out the new location at 248 Main Street enjoying light refreshments a week ago Friday. The city also stopped by to cut the traditional red ribbon to officially welcome them to downtown.

“We knew we were going to get a big crowd, so we only let 10 people in at a time,” said Michael Guzman, owner. “We had a doorman and he was constantly counting and letting people in.”

House Of Fitteds currently has two employees working the online portion of the business and one employee helping Guzman in the store with the customers.

“We carry all the exclusive MLB fitted caps,” Guzman, a Bristol native, said. “You can’t get these hats anywhere; there are only a few stores in New York City and California that have them, so I kind of figured I’d bring the business over here.”

The switch from an online store to a physical location was a stressful one for Guzman.

“The day was really hectic,” Guzman said. “For me this was the first time ever really working in a store at the register. I’m not going to lie, I was a little stressed out, but as the day went on I started to calm down and we started to get into the groove of things. I think it went well for everyone.”

Guzman signed the lease for the approximately 1,900 square foot space in April.

“I was fortunate enough that my dad actually does a lot of construction stuff, so he did the whole thing for me,” Guzman said. “Obviously, I helped him out, but he built all the shelves, counters, everything. We did a lot of cool stuff, so I think the place looks really well put together.”

Guzman officially started the business in November 2020, mailing and hand delivering items to customers.

“I initially started as a hat collector. I would collect exclusive All-Star game day hats and stuff and I would bring them back to Connecticut and my friends and everyone that would see me wearing them would ask me where I got the hat,” Guzman said. “I like hats in general so I figured I could make a business out of it; people were offering me money for my hats.”

While Guzman was raised in Bristol, his family is from Ecuador. Guzman graduated from Bristol Central High School and went on to continue his athletic career in football and wrestling at Springfield College. He is currently a senior taking classes in the morning and then opening the store right after. Prior to getting into the hat business Guzman, who learned to cut hair in middle school, was cutting hair on the side.

“Things have been going pretty well,” Guzman said. “For young entrepreneurs I would tell them work hard and believe in your dreams. I think anyone can do anything they put their minds to. Don’t settle for anything less than you want and deserve.”

House Of Fitteds is open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and is closed on Sundays.