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!
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Lynn Wyatt and Steve Wyatt
“Entering the cocktail space, guests were welcomed by décor inspired by the Roaring Twenties,” noted an MFA rep. “A black and gold custom bar, with large-scale white feather centerpieces, added to the supper club feel. Guests sipped Old Fashioneds and Manhattans as specialty cocktails, as they enjoyed the David Caceres jazz trio.”
At dinner in Cullinan Hall, the 40-foot walls were draped from floor to ceiling in lush hunter green velvet with glinting gold details. “Framed LED screens adorned the walls, showcasing important figures and friends from the MFAH’s long history,” added rep, who went on to note the white and green florals, crystal centerpieces, and mirrored tabletops. Some of the dramatic chandeliers twinkling overhead 15 feet tall. Guests seated in the balcony for the more-than-sold-out event had a birds-eye view of the Art Deco-inspired scene.
Dinner began with chilled poached lobster salad before moving on to beef tenderloin and finally crème brulee with fresh berries. “MFAH trustees Michelle and Frank Hevrdejs, and Sara and Bill Morgan, generously donated wine from Aperture, their award-winning winery in Sonoma County,” explained the rep. During dinner, MFAH gala fae Brandon Wattz of L.A. crooned for guests, who also enjoyed a thematic dance performance by Astarte Creative. The beautiful and glam DJ Kiss spun dance tunes for after-dinner revelers.
As part of the record $5.5 million till, Jan and J. Venn Leeds made a $2 million gift to establish and endowment to provide funding for the Grand Gala each year in perpetuity.
During its 100 years, MFAH has grown from its original space in a small house to having a 14-acre main campus, plus two house museums and gardens. Its collection has grown from a modest 60 works of art to about 80,000 pieces today.
VIPs spotted in the crowd include museum honcho Gary Tinterow, Margaret Alkek Williams, Anne S. Duncan and Moti Ferder of principal underwriter Lugano. Grand Gala Ball. Other notables included Lynn Wyatt, Jim and Whitney Crane, Denise Wynne, Cherie and Jim Flores, Franci Neely, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin, Tina and Joe Pyne, Pershant and Nidhika Mehta, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Hallie Vanderhider, Bobby Dees, Jay Jones, Terry Wayne Jones; Aliyya Stude, and Cynthia and Tony Petrello.
Scott and Judy Nyquist
Renu and Suresh Khator
Phoebe Tudor
A toast to 100 years
Brandon Wattz performs.
Margaret Alkek Williams
Keefer Lehner, Daniel Zilkha and Rohan Shetty
John Eddie Williams, DJ Kiss and Sheridan Williams
Cynthia and Tony Petrello
Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin
Hushang and Shahla Ansary
Lisa Dodd, Logan Dresser and Maria Stavinoha
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees
Josh Gaynor, Stuart Winston and Idit Ferder
Guest gifts
Feather dancers perform.
Durga and Sushila Agrawal
David and Heidi Gerger and Chinhui and Eddie Allen
Dancie Ware
Claire and Eric Anyah
Brad and Leslie Bucher
Bill and Andrea White
Barron and Lisa Wallace
Alicia Lohman and Felix Pacheco
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The brunch bread basket at Rumi's Kitchen beckons.
Traveler's Cart
Traveler's Cart (photo by Jenn Duncan)
Traveler’s Cart is now open on Montrose at West Gray, a counter-service-style outfit from the owners of popular Traveler’s Table nearby. The food menu includes street snacks — think falafel bites and butter chicken samosas, and small plates like Thai fried chicken wings and pan-fried lamb dumplings — and main dishes that are sure to fill you up, like an American roadside burger and the more adventurous Peri Peri chicken and Jamaican jerk pork ribs.
Rumi's Kitchen
Boreka at Rumi's Kitchen
Having recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, Rumi’s Kitchen is unveiling a new brunch menu highlighting its signature Persian flavors in unique new dishes. Chef Ali Mesghali is serving a bread basket with Jerusalem bagels, za’atar biscuits and more, plus a stellar take on Shakshuka — and the Iranish Coffee, a spice-sprinkled beverage of Bruichladdich unpeated scotch, nocino, coffee and cream. Sweet tooth? Don’t skip the Dutch Baby Pancake with sour-cherry jam, cream and powdered sugar. Brunch is available on weekends between 11am and 2:30pm.
Kira
Destination sushi spot Kira — a sister restaurant to popular Neo in Montrose — has rolled out a new Sunday-night experience dubbed Bar Kira, a high-energy, music-fueled take on its intimate sushi counter. The menu on Sunday nights (7pm-midnight) includes a lobster roll on housemade milk bread; smoked-fish onigiri with yuzu aioli; and a Spanish-style iberico ham sandwich. The exclusive cocktail list is fun — try the seasonal In Limbo, with brown-butter bourbon, pear, kelp syrup, and lemon and lime.
Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onodera
Chef Akifumi Sakagami
A shopping center on Westheimer near Dairy Ashford has been dubbed West On West (WOW), and is home to several exciting and delicious concepts already beloved in Chinatown and Katy Asiatown, like SomiSomi ice cream and Paris Baguette. The latest restaurant to bow is Kaiten, from Michelin-starred group Sushi Ginza Onodera, who delivers their traditional Japanese fare via conveyor belt. The new Houston location marks Ginza Onodera’s first opening in the U.S. mainland and second international Kaiten Sushi restaurant outside Japan.
il Bracco
il Bracco happy hour
A pair of Post Oak hot spots have debuted new deals, just in time for the holidays! Available daily from 3-6pm, il Bracco and Balboa Surf Club’s new happy-hour menus have yummy bites, cocktails and wines by the glass. Balboa’s seafood-savvy offerings include tostadas with ahi tuna and macadamia nuts, and crispy fish tacos with jalapeno slaw. Meanwhile, il Bracco touts bar snacks — marinated olives, spiced Marcona almonds, housemade chips — for just $3, plus fritto misto, arancini, and more.
Alora
The sadly shuttered Kau Ba, which apparently garnered a Michelin star posthumously, will soon be Alora. Expect preview pop-ups of the new Vietnamese-Peruvian restaurant throughout the holiday season. An example of the fusion fare includes the Shaking Lomo Saltado, a marriage of Vietnamese shaking beef and a popular Peruvian dish.
Medium Rare
Opening any day in Midtown: Medium Rare, offering a single pre-fixe meal of steak frites with artisan bread and a green salad ($31 per person). The concept, born in Washington D.C. in 2011, has expanded all over the U.S., perhaps best known for its secret sauce — and more extensive dessert menu with a specialty sundae and tastily tart key-lime pie and more, which can be tacked on for an additional $12. Vegetarians and vegans can opt for a portobello mushroom entrée.
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