An Oceanside-based hat maker has seen a surge in business recently, crediting the boost to his connection with the San Diego Padres. Austin Zito, who meticulously crafts each hat by hand from beginning to end, finds the most rewarding aspect of his work to be the personal touch he brings to each creation.
“Every hat is made for somebody,” Zito explained, emphasizing the human element of his craft. “Even the ones on the rack – I imagine someone wearing these at some point.”
This personalized approach caught the attention of the Padres organization, leading to an unexpected opportunity for Zito. In July, the team reached out to him with a special request: to create custom hats for their players who had qualified for the All-Star Game.
“The Padres are really good about supporting local businesses,” Zito noted, expressing his pride in being selected for the task. As a native of the area, this collaboration held particular significance for him.
The commission came with its share of pressure. Zito was given just one week to produce five bespoke hats for the team’s All-Star players. Rising to the challenge, he devoted himself entirely to the project, working marathon 18-hour days with his shop doors locked to ensure focus and timely completion.
Zito documented the intricate process, later sharing the final results on his Instagram account. The hats featured personalized touches, including “ASG 2024” inscribed on the inside, the players’ names, and their jersey numbers hand-cut from brass and mounted on the side.
The Padres were clearly impressed with Zito’s craftsmanship. In a significant moment for the hat maker, Fernando Tatis Jr., one of the team’s star players, posted a video of himself wearing the custom-made hat. This high-profile endorsement has had a tangible impact on Zito’s business, bringing in a wave of new customers and inquiries.
Encouraged by this success, Zito is hopeful for future collaborations with the Padres. “I would love the opportunity to keep making those,” he said, expressing his desire to partner with the team and
potentially make similar hats available to a wider audience.
This partnership exemplifies the Padres’ commitment to supporting local artisans and businesses in the San Diego area. By choosing Zito for this special project, the team not only acquired unique, high-quality hats for their All-Star players but also provided invaluable exposure to a skilled local craftsman.
For Zito, the experience has been transformative. The increased foot traffic to his Oceanside shop and the buzz generated by his
association with the Padres have opened new doors for his business. It’s a testament to the power of local partnerships and the impact that professional sports teams can have on small businesses in their communities.
As Zito continues to craft his hats with the same dedication and attention to detail, he now does so with an expanded customer base and a notable collaboration under his belt. The unexpected connection with the Padres has not only boosted his business but also validated his commitment to quality and personalization in his craft.
This story of a local artisan’s success highlights the symbiotic relationship that can exist between major sports franchises and small businesses in their local communities. It demonstrates how supporting local talent can lead to mutually beneficial outcomes, elevating both the artisan’s profile and the team’s connection to its hometown.