What to know

The Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce’s Black Business Direct, presented by Uber Canada, is helping customers discover and support local Black-owned businesses like Brimz Hat Boutique.

The boutique, now based in Kensington Market, has spent nearly 30 years matching customers with unique hats sourced globally.

Owner Dameion Royes says the shop has styled notable clients including Serge Ibaka and Lauryn Hill, while offering custom embroidery and personalized fittings.

Brimz also created a commemorative fedora for the Toronto Maple Leafs honoring hockey pioneer Willie O’Ree, highlighting how directories like CBCC’s help connect diverse businesses with new opportunities.

The Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) Black Business Direct, presented by Uber Canada, is making it easier to find and support local Black-owned businesses. Among the vast array of businesses is Brimz Hat Boutique, a staple in the Kensington community.

Brimz has been matching hats and Torontonians for almost 30 years. They specialize in sourcing hats from all over the world, in order for their customers to find a hat that speaks to them.

“Everyone comes to us for their hats. Everyone [from] Serge Ibaka, we’ve put hats on Lauryn Hill and a number of people over the years,” CEO and President of Brimz, Dameion Royes told Now Toronto. “So, this spot is a place where people can come and they feel like they’re in a diamond shop, and they take their time and they find the right items that are perfect for them.”

The store is located in the heart of Kensington Market and is lined with hats of every variety. From fedoras to ball caps, there’s something for everyone.

Royes runs the shop alongside his wife, Yoko. The two are also embroidery specialists, allowing customers to create any kind of what they want, personalizing it, and making it their own.

“You create your own universe,” Royes said. “It’s just like a film. You invite people to that universe, and they always say, if you build it, they will come. We’ve built it, and they’ve come.”

He added that with the shopping experience, customers are able to find a hat for any occasion.

“They’re looking for something special. It’s not the run of the mill,” Royes added. “It’s kind of like finding your specialised butcher or having your unique tailor. We give them that kind of feel and flavour. When they come in here, they can take their time, find the right things, and we’ll help them pair something to the events that are in their lives.”

Out of their 30 years in business, Brimz has only been in Kensington for the past seven years. The store also moved around the city, with it at one point being on Queen Street and even having multiple locations.

Over the years, the boutique has garnered community from all over the Greater Toronto Area, helping residents be united with their perfect hat.

“We have a lot of die hard fans that really love us,” Royes said. “You have people that look out for you, people that promote you, people that help you, people that feed you… You want to be a part of that community and contribute to it. So, it is a blessing to be in Kensington.”

The store has even catered to celebrities and entire sports teams in the past.

“Last year, in 2025 we were approached by the [Toronto] Maple Leafs, and they wanted us to produce a very special hat for the first Black player in the [NHL], who was Willie Oree. They wanted to commemorate his 90th birthday, so they had us commission and create a very special, customised fedora hat, which we call the Don Corleone,” Royes said.

Royes said that being accessible to new customers through CBCC’s Black Business Direct was very important, and played a part in gaining those kinds of opportunities.

“Because it’s a place where you can find like minded businesses, especially businesses of colour and for BIPOC people, it’s very important that we have a source and a resource that people can go to to find us. It’s kind of like our yellow pages and without it, you’re missing in action.”

He added people want to spend mindfully, and a directory like CBCC’s helps with that.

“When people are looking to spend their dollars consciously, there we are,” Royes said. “They can find us there and so, for a service like that, you can’t do without it. It’s so incredibly important for us to be associated.”