R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press
Deanna Robinette prepares a hat by fixing a selection of patches in place with heat transfer tape before putting it on the press at Ruff Patch’s pop-up at a recent expo.
ESCANABA — A pop-up trucker hat bar operating under the name “Ruff Patch” has been appearing at events in the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin since this spring. The concept is simple: a visitor to the Ruff Patch booth chooses a blank hat and one or more iron-on patches and other decorative elements from the varied selection in stock. Then the product, designed by the customer, is assembled and handed off on the spot in a matter of minutes.
The idea to launch a business of the sort came from TikTok, though it may sound “silly,” said founder and owner Megan Robinette.
Ruff Patch and other hat bars, whether stationed inside a shop, traveling to fairs, or hired for private parties, offer a method of self-expression that’s been embraced around the country and shared via the internet.
“My mom, sister and best friend were sending the trucker hat bars from online to each other, and next thing we knew, we were ordering supplies and starting two days later,” Megan relayed.
Ruff Patch launched in May of 2024 and is named after Megan’s dog, Ruff — a Shiba Inu who is the face of the company in the logo, wearing a hat, of course — and the patches that add personality to every item sold.
After launching in May, Ruff Patch has gathered speed, having found a few hundred online followers and satisfied clients at pop-ups it attends.
The mobility of Ruff Patch — which is run by Megan with the assistance of her mother, Deanna Robinette — has allowed it to appear and gain customers at several destinations in two states.
On the fourth of July, Ruff Patch journeyed to Munising’s celebration at Binsfield Bayshore Park. During Escanaba’s Sidewalk Sales in July, it was set up outside The Other Place Salon. Ruff Patch participated in the first Makers Market at Haley Station; has set up at The Glow Room in Coleman, Wis.; and most recently attended the U.P. Ice Fishing and Hunting Expo at the fairgrounds in Escanaba.
“Owning a business is hard,” Megan said. “There are so many events to do throughout the area.”
Megan, who grew up in Escanaba, works full-time as a teacher at Menominee Area Public Schools and is pregnant with her first child. The hat booth is a side gig, and with the school year now back in full swing, Megan said she’s aiming for booking one weekend event per month.
Deanna said she’s found it valuable to attend events with other vendors because the newer Ruff Patch can learn from and draw inspiration from them: “The more we go to, the more ideas we have,” she said, pointing out that the metal rack at the booth beside Ruff Patch at the expo this past weekend would be great for hanging hats on.
Megan spoke on the value of setting up at shops and salons, saying, “I love setting up at local businesses because it gives them time to get people into their store to book with them and make a hat with me.”
While operations are pretty smooth once they’re set up in a space, an upcoming task for the rising business is to nail down a more efficient means of transporting everything; Deanna mentioned that a large wagon or something would be useful, because thus far they’ve just been hauling items between vehicle and booth in multiple trips.
As of now, Ruff Patch offers trucker hats — snapback, brimmed caps with foam fronts and mesh sides and backs — for both kids and adults in many colors, including a few specialty hues and patterns for autumn.
“Trucker hats have a higher ‘face’ so we can fit more patches,” Megan explained.
The process of assembling a custom hat involves using a printed paper template on a clipboard supplied by Ruff Patch. The client arranges the patches of their choice, selected from the many trays spread out on the tables, onto the template and may also pick pins to attach afterwards or a decorative chain to line the seam where the brim meets the front of the cap. Then, Megan or Deanna places the iron-on patches on the hat of the customer’s choosing, using pins or heat-safe transfer tape to secure them and double-checking that the customer is happy with the layout before the hat goes on the heat press. The price is dependent on how many pieces of flair are put on the hat.
“I love when kids come in and make a hat,” said Megan, noting that hats for children are popular and that she greatly enjoys seeing what they come up with. “They are always so fun and creative. Many kids leave with a hat full of patches showing what they love!”
Ruff Patch is looking forward to its upcoming events, which include the Fall Craft Show at Great Lakes Sports Club at 5211 19th Ave. N. on Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Holiday Craft Sale organized by the Parent Teacher Organization at Bark River-Harris School from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 2.
Hats can also be preordered through the Ruff Patch page on Facebook or by email at [email protected].
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