Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1534560
In 1909, long before "luxury" was the go-to adjective, Stanley Korshak founded his fine goods store in Chicago. In the 1980s, that store closed, but Dallas entrepreneurial oil heiress Caroline Rose Hunt saw an opportunity and purchased the rights to the name. In 1986, she opened Stanley Korshak, a glittering designer clothing store, in the courtyard of the Crescent Hotel in Dallas. She hired Crawford Brock to manage the store, and in 2002, he and his family bought the business from Hunt. During those 23 years, Stanley Korshak grew to become one of the largest independent specialty emporiums in Dallas. Now a new family name joins that celebrated history, with Mitchell Stores' new strategic partnership with Stanley Korshak. The merger ensures that Brock isn't going anywhere soon, and neither is the level of pampering that customers expect. For Brock, this strategic partnership seems predestined. Twenty years ago, he was seated next to Jack Mitchell on an airplane. While talking shop, Mitchell asked him a pointed question: "What's your exit strategy?" Without missing a beat, Brock replied, "Probably you. You'd buy us." Mitchell replied with a grin, "We'd like that." Two decades later, their family-run businesses have finally united. Mitchell Stores operates eight other luxury specialty stores on the east and west coasts under four retail brand names: Mitchells, Richards, Wilkes Bashford, and Marios. Combined with Stanley Korshak, they're a $250 million family-run business. As Brock says, "Who would want to take us on? We are going to kill it." The acquisition provides Stanley Korshak with access to 10 times their current product selection. Customers can also expect an Chris Mitchell and Crawford Brock JAKE DOCKINS Two Retail Families Unite Love is in the Air 40 expanded and integrated e-commerce world that includes shopping with their current sales associate through a seamless app complete with a virtual closet. Brock knows this technology is a game changer for the store, which only fully ramped up their online service in 2020 due to COVID. Moving forward, third-generation owner Chris Mitchell will spend half his time in Dallas. Brock is already envisioning Mitchell and his wife setting up home in Highland Park after their youngest graduates from high school. Brock describes Mitchell as "Me, just 30 years younger!" It's been a turbulent spring for the big names in Dallas retail (cough, Neiman Marcus). Calling Neiman's "a formidable competitor," it was Stanley Marcus himself who taught Brock not to be afraid of competition, because "it makes everybody better." Brock, as energetic and inspired about Stanley Korshak's future as ever, ended our conversation with, "Tee it up. Let's go!" Melissa Smrekar A cclaimed chef and local legend Tim Love has a lot to celebrate as his l a n d m a r k re s t a u r a n t Lonesome Dove Western Bistro in Fort Worth celebrates its 25th anniversary. Love has restaurants all over Texas, with a Lonesome Dove in Knoxville as well. He also owns Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall in Fort Worth — a 1,000-person venue with three 20-person VIP suites, restaurant, and bar — and founded Hotel Otto, a playful roadside motel made from tricked-out shipping containers with private rooftop patios. Now he's opened Stewart's Croquet & Cocktails — named for his father, Stewart Love, a lover of the sport — in Fort Worth along the Trinity Trail. This twist on an old-school country club has an interior bar with vintage mid-century modern vibes. The menu is loaded with sophisticated comfort food: lobster rolls, Texas blue-crab cakes, and the Croquet Club sandwich. We're told the dress code calls for "croquet whites" jackets or sweaters, but these classics are generously offered to any guest in need. stewartscocktailclub.com. Back at the Lonesome Dove flagship in the Fort Worth Stockyards, book your reservation tout suite for a spectacular 25-course retrospective tasting menu, available May 2 through 6. The meal is divided into five flights: sea, air, land, beef, and sweet. The marquee stars, however, are found in the beef flight — apropos, given the restaurant's location. I was enamored with the snow-aged wagyu and garlic-stuffed tenderloin with western plaid hash. The menu concludes with the sweet stuff, and my favorite was a dish that helped Love secure his victory on Iron Chef America: his ancho chili chocolate cake. Don't wait to book this experience — call in a favor if you need to for a seating. lonesomedovefortworth.com. Billy Fong Tim Love at Lonesome Dove ZAC SIMMONS OBSESSIONS. DECORATION. SALIENT FACTS.