It all started when Llewellyn John Applegath left England and settled in Ontario in 1883. For two years he was a traveling salesman or, "traveler", as they were known back then. He established his first business in 1885 on Yonge Street in Toronto, where he sold straw hats.

Eventually felt top hats became very popular and the business boomed as did the a family tradition of clothing merchants.

Jess Applegath, was described as a "hatter" in the 1912 Toronto phone book. He was the eldest of L.J.'s four sons and his chain of Toronto based hat stores expanded to Montreal. "Jess Applegath Hats" remained in the family until it was purchased by Biltmore Hats in 1959.

His other sons made up the company that was known as, "L.J. Applegath & Sons". They rose to the challenge of the hat craze and offered other men's fashions, footwear and accessories at ten locations.

Eventually the "hatless trend" lent its hand to the company's downsizing. By 1964 only one location remained. 

The grandsons to L.J. eventually decided to quit while they were ahead, leaving behind a unique Toronto legacy.

Over 120 years since its inception the family tradition of selling quality clothing is continued via the internet.  Family descendant James Applegath operates a vintage t-shirts boutique and has a amassed a personal collection of Applegath hats.