Leadership in Action: Clothiers Murry and Karen Penner Celebrate Family Business’ 50-Year Anny
Al Torres
Oct. 8, 2024
Murry & Karen Penner, Owners, M PENNER
How did you get where you are today? We’ve stayed true to the vision of the store’s founder, Morris Penner, who relentlessly sought out unique product, with exceptional quality being a key element. Morris always used to say, “The fastest way to lose a customer is to bore him” and we agree. A percentage of every season’s budget is allocated to something new and unique. While product is key, it’s not enough. Having an excellent staff and discipline in business practices is also critical.
Whom do you credit? MP: I guess I could say that retail is in my blood. My grandfathers on both sides owned men’s clothing stores and my dad opened M PENNER in 1974, so a great deal of credit goes to them. Dad had incredible vision and created a unique niche in Houston’s menswear landscape in the mid 1970’s by focusing on European fashion brands and styles. He quickly became known as a maverick in the industry, bucking the predominantly “American brand trend” of the time. A great deal of credit also goes to the people who work with us, from the sales team to the tailor shop. I also credit Karen and my son, Jeremy, whose dedication keeps us grounded and focused.
What is it like running a family-owned business? Chaos. But seriously, through ups and downs, for us, it’s the best of the best. We get to set the tone and define the culture of the business. Our employees are our family and we treat our clients like family, too. There is a noticeable warmth that permeates the atmosphere at M PENNER and we love that. When you run a family owned business, the bottom line is clear - the buck stops with us.
What lessons have you learned that might enlighten and inspire others? While running a family business certainly can be chaotic, the truth is that it is also very gratifying. And that’s because we have learned a few important lessons. Have clearly defined roles and be clear about who makes the final decision. Find your niche in the market and stay in your lane. Clarify your goals and refer to them repeatedly to stay on track. Hire great people; trust them and let them shine. Stash the cash - in our 50-year history, there have been great years and there have been tough years. Keep enough money in the bank to help get through the tough years. Pay attention to the details. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
What is your biggest accomplishment? MP: It goes backwards and it goes forwards - being in business for 50 years and carrying on the legacy of my dad’s vision and now working with my son in the store. Being known in the men’s specialty store industry as one of the best stores in the country is extremely gratifying. We can’t wait to celebrate our 50th in December!
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Kendall and Susan Plank, Noel Wise, Anna Osborn, Michelle Koskie
MORE THAN 140 lovely ladies showed up at Tootsies to shop, sip and celebrate Dec My Room, the local nonprofit responsible for personalizing and decorating hospital rooms for pediatric and young-adult patients.
Dec My Room founders, mother-daughter duo Susan and Kendall Plank, and event chairs Jennifer Cope and Marie Flanigan mingled with the "galentines" two days before V-Day. After early-morning browsing of pop-ups and trunk shows at Tootsies, the well-heeled crowd strutted over to PostScript HTX, awash in pink, as always.
Here, the ladies sat down for a beautiful luncheon. At each seat, guests found a butterfly, which was raised during the "paddles-up" portion of the day. Together with an exciting raffle, the event raised nearly $120,000 for Dec My Room.
Ally Shell and Nora Jarrard
Carson Sherman, Rebecca Thomas, Lauren Gray
Tori Kuykendall, Stacey Lindseth
Charlotte Martingano, Anna Osborne
Michelle Froehlich, Diane Nolen, Denise Tinkham, Fenche Shen
Cherie Lindley, Abby Vanegas
Melissa Sugulas, Estella Cockrell, Rebecca Thomas, Melissa Juneau , Traci Young
Donae Chramosta and Donna Lewis
Marie Flanigan and Jennifer Cope
Elizabeth Abraham , Sydney Goss, Laura Thompson
Kelli Tumey, Noel Wise
Elysa Nelson, Claire Jackson, Sylvie Kampshoff
Christina Green, Whitney Kuhn Lawson
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After Multiple James Beard Nods, Cambodian-Inspired EaDo Bakery Plans Expansion to The Quad
Feb. 18, 2025
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THERE'S SOME INTERESTING news coming out of The Quad at Britmoore, the adaptive, mixed-use development fashioned of repurposed industrial warehouses in Spring Branch near Memorial.
The Houston-based developers, Pagewood and Wile Interests, have announced that Lil’ Koffeteria will be among the eateries.
“We’re thrilled to add locally owned Lil’ Koffeteria to our office community who will serve fresh and local eats and build upon the energy we’ve created at our campus,” said Randolph Wile, President of Wile Interests.
For its part, Lil’ Koffeteria is a bit of a phenom. With its original location east of Downtown, its risen to considerable acclaim for its Cambodian-inspired café and bakery goods. “Led by chef-owner Vanarin Kuch, who recently landed a second James Beard award nomination in the Outstanding Bakery category, Lil’ Koffeteria will serve a variety of their award-winning pastries, kolaches and tacos,” said a rep for The Quad.
In addition to the Beard accolades, The New York Times recently cited Lil’ Koffeteria as of the 22 best bakeries in the country now.
The new outpost is expected to open in the spring.
Vanarin Kuch (photo by Niel Burger)
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