Sal Rovero

Seven years ago, chatting with an Orthodox Jewish friend, Sal Rovero mentioned that his father was in the hat business. His friend, tired of ordering from New York, suggested that Rovero start selling the black, wide-brimmed Old World-style hats favored by Orthodox men. Rovero ordered three dozen on credit from the Italian maker Borsalino and rented a small second-floor space on La Brea Avenue near Beverly Boulevard. "I had two things going for me there.