Murry & Karen Penner
What’s unique about your team and how does the relationship benefit the business? Our team is part of our family; many of us have worked together since we were in our twenties, so we’ve literally grown up together.
Throughout the year we have many events where our brand representatives come to the store. Without exception, they tell us that our team is the best they’ve seen. This sentiment is validated often by customers who send notes of appreciation (and occasional bottles of tequila) for an experience that exceeded their expectations.
We are very proud of these accolades and credit our staff for their expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. They love to share their interests beyond the fashion world, too; so, if you want to know anything about biking or scuba diving, great vacation spots, or dining recommendations, just ask. On top of that, they’re just a lot of fun to be around.
Tell us about your business. What’s special about what you do and how you do it? In a nutshell, we help men live their best lives in style.
We are unique in Houston by offering a curated collection of both established and artisan luxury brands, along with best of class casual offerings, all together, under one roof. We have been experts in the custom business for over 40 years and offer made-to-measure services from the most sought-after brands in the world, including Zegna, Kiton, Isaia, Brunello Cucinelli, Santarelli, Sartorio, and more. We have what many consider to be the best tailor shop in town, and we offer complimentary alterations, closet consultation, private appointments, style advising, and local delivery.
The M Penner Team: Judy Penner, Jeremy Penner, Cody Sever, Karen Penner, Belinda Hillhouse, Jesus Alfaro, Joel Choney, Andrea Irizzary, Whitney Wiggins, Murry Penner (not pictured – Javier Aceves)
What would you be willing to share with others about the secret of success as a duo? We are often asked how we can be married, work together, and not kill each other — how that works. The easy answer is we trust each other. We share great satisfaction in seeing the business and our employees grow and prosper. On occasions where there is conflict, the answer is simple. The buck stops with Murry … at the store. At home, it’s a … well, another interview!
And what makes for an effective team in retail? Everyone on the team works together, so a culture of mutual respect and trust is fundamental. We’re fortunate to have great synergy here that enhances the experiences of both our team and our customers.
Our team works hard, and they are really talented. To keep things fun, we like to have contests that involve games like winning poker hands and “stealing the $20.” We also set team goals, and it’s wonderful to see how the team always pulls together and encourages each other so everyone wins.
What’s up next? What can you share about your plans for 2023? After 17 years at this location, it’s time for a refresh and we’re embarking on a renovation early next year. We’re also planning something special next year to celebrate 50 years in business. Stay tuned!
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Per the custom, the highlight of the party was a semi-scandalous fashion show featuring swimwear, underwear and lingerie, produced by Todd Ramos with hair and makeup by Edward Sanchez and his team. Male and female models from the Page Parkes agency, a longtime CityBook partner, strutted the hip bar in sometimes revealing looks by clothiers including Top Drawer Lingerie, Leather by Val, Manready Mercantile and Manbuns.
Chapman & Kirby servers handed out delicious bites including miniature beef Wellingtons. And bartenders mixed up special cocktails for the occasion such as mango margaritas, smoked Old Fashioneds and espresso martinis, thanks in part to generous spirits sponsors Cazadores tequila, Angels Envy bourbon and Grey Goose vodka. Wine and sparkling wine also flowed.
Magazine editor Jeff Gremillion welcomed about 200 guests, including Valen Custer and her Brazilian fiancé Vitor Villar, the real-life model couple who appeared in the 2024 Sexy Issue’s racy fashion shoot. “People always marvel at how attractive the crowd is at the Sexy Party,” Gremillion brags. “I guess we stack the deck a bit, when we make sure our hottest models turn up!”
As presenting sponsor of the Sexy Issue and co-host of the bodacious bash, Indigo displayed fabulous cars out front for guests to consider renting. Lamborghini or Rolls Royce, anyone?
CityBook’s Sexy Issue, with its provocative fashion imagery, has been a staple of summer in Houston since the magazine launched in 2016.
Lindsay Yates and Brian Ching
Jason Clayden and Aaron Matthews
Thy Mitchell
Valen Custer and Vitor Villar
Jazmin Porter
Addison Freeman and Amanda Pascali
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
David Croatto, Valeria Croatto, Lukkaew Arasrisuwan, Krystal Hatchett
Rosendo Mendoza, Joshua Schirmer, Nicholas Guidry
Tyler Treadwell, Joshua T. Dada and Shawn Harris
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Tom Hedge, Lety Turullols and Andrea Oliver
Magen Pastor and Rene Garza
Anisa Hoxha
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Maricela Olivo, Dieter Lehman and Ashley Escobar
Richard Hester and Mary Patton
Jeff Jacobitz and Chris Casey
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Greta Connolly and Steven Rodriguez
Karen Parker, Michael Gilg
Mitchell Greco, Todd Ramos, Brandon Weinbrenner
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Demitri Benson and Nicholas Glenn
A Page Parkes model during the fashion show
Lisa Gochman and Chris Beverly
Van Morris and Patrick Curphey
Cyndy Garza Roberts, Stephanie Ramos, Michele Leal Farah, Vicky Dominguez and Leisa Holland Nelson Bowman
Emceed by Cyndy Garza Roberts, the River Oaks Country Club affair honored Michele Leal Farrah for her commitment to El Centro and similar causes all over Houston. The organization’s CEO, Marcie Mir, thanked supporters and shared why El Centro must still expand its services to reach more Houston residents. Notably, 74 percent of El Centro’s 12,000-plus patients live at or below federal poverty level ($31K annually for a family of four) and more than half are uninsured.
Then Stephanie Ramos gave the keynote address; the ABC News correspondent and Army Reserve Major spoke about channeling inner strength to make a bigger impact.
Andrea Godea, Larry Savala, Amalia Savala
Sippi Khurana and Donae Chramosta
Blanca Lopez, Julie Garza, Hoda Sana
Shelley Ludwick and Elvia Taylor
Elizabeth Ramos, Marcie Mir and Michele Leal
Esmeralda De la Cruz, Lorena Gomez, Vicky Dominguez
Neena Arora, Diana Grair, Kavon Young
Maria Smith, Diana Ospina
Mari Trevino Glass and Cinthya Reade
Evelyn Leightman, George Connelly, Helen Perry
George and Michele Farah
Lisa Wilmore, George Connelly
German Ibañez, Melanie Rodriguez
Linda Flores Olson, Vicki Luna, Graciana Garces, Jorge Gonzalez
Jan Mendenhall, Xochitl Ljuboja, Miriam Zatarain
Jolene Trevino and Vicki Luna
John Cisneros, Marco Perez
Lisa Wilmore, Ed Emmett and Leisa Holland Nelson Bowman