parties

At Heritage Society, a Walk Down Memory Lane for Fans of Sakowitz Department Stores

At Heritage Society, a Walk Down Memory Lane for Fans of Sakowitz Department Stores

Steve Wyatt and Joyce Echols, Lynn Wyatt, Robert Sakowitz

A SOPHISTICATED CROWD gathered at the Forest Club in Memorial for the Heritage Society luncheon, celebrating the organization's 67th anniversary and highlighting a bit of Houston retail-biz history.

With his sister Lynn Wyatt looking on adoringly from a front table, Robert T. Sakowitz, longtime executive at his family's Sakowitz department stores, gave a fascinating keynote address that covered the history of the regional retail giant, which was started by his grandfather, an eastern European immigrant, in 1902.

Sakowitz and Wyatt enjoyed some banter during the talk, laughing at how, growing up, everyone always thought Lynn got her beautiful clothes for free — but they actually had to pay. They did get employee discount, they said.

The menu for the luncheon, emceed by Catherine Anspon, was a tribute to the Sky Terrace restaurant at the Downtown Sakowitz store, including vichyssoise, shrimp remoulade salad and a pecan ball with chocolate sauce for dessert. Décor of the affair, including the trio of floral vases on each table, also nodded to the old eatery, a favorite of the ladies-who-lunch set for many years.

Guests included Phoebe Tudor and city officials including Sallie Alcorn, Robert Gallego, Amy Peck and Carolyn M. Johnson.

Linda McReynolds, Phoebe Tudor

Peter Brueggeman, Elizabeth Brueggeman, Eric Brueggeman, Hunter Comiskey

Julie Claussen and Steve Lucchesi

Laura McWilliams, Betty Tutor

Anne Sloan, Peter Weil

Lillian Schindler, Elaine Van Horn

Shay Calhoun, Kirksey Gregg, C. C and Duke Ensell

Elizabeth Brueggeman, Lanie Markham, Mary Carol Markham

From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
Parties
promoted

Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

John Kuykendall, Showroom Manager, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

How did you get to where you are today? Growing up I had envisioned myself as a news anchor, living in NY and enthusiastically saying into the camera “Good Morning America!”. To this day, I am still a news/political junkie. My mother owned fur salons so specialty retail, luxury retail was in my blood through the family business. Eventually, mom shuttered the stores and I was recruited to a large specialty retailer. Over the next 30 years, I was in commissioned sales on the sales floor, became a department manager, worked my way up to buyer and store manager. Although I never became a newscaster, I did live in NYC for a few years. But Texas is home and with aging grandparents, I felt the pull to come back to my roots. A headhunter approached me. I never envisioned myself in the high-end appliance market, but there are so many similarities. Clients want a memorable experience; whether shopping for diamonds and fur or remodeling their kitchen.

Keep Reading Show less
dining

Bandista Shakes Up a Holiday Collab with Lauded Nashville Bar — for Charity!

HOLIDAY CHEER IS coming to Bandista, the Four Seasons hotel’s swanky speakeasy, in the form of a fun collab with Nashville bar Four Walls.

Keep Reading Show less
Food
shopping

This Weekend: Explore the Secret Warehouse of One of Houston’s Most Sought-After Restaurant Designers

Carla Gomez

You’ve eaten at Nancy’s Hustle, Tiny Champions, Better Luck Tomorrow, Milton’s and Lee’s Den. Now, you can explore the private warehouse of the design firm that created those spaces!

Keep Reading Show less