RIP KEN HELFMAN, FOUNDER OF KEN’S MAN’S SHOP, DALLAS TX

MR is sad to report the passing of Ken Helfman, founder of Ken’s Man’s Shop in Dallas. He died in hospice care on January 13 at the age of 86, surrounded by his beloved family and many close friends.

Ken started his career selling ladies’ shoes at a clothing shop in Dallas. Recognized early on for his fashion flair, business acumen, and ability to connect with people, Ken opened his first menswear store, 16×60 square feet, in Garland, Texas in 1964. From there, he moved to the Ridgewood Shopping Center from 1968 to 1993, and then to the store’s current location in Preston Royal. The store is proudly entering its seventh decade in business.

Ken’s son Kory has been running the business since his dad retired in 2016. Asked what he learned from his dad, Kory is thoughtful. “In addition to everything I know about merchandising, my dad taught me, by example, how to be a better man. He taught me humility, and that a life of servitude is the most honorable path one can take. He taught me that this business is more about relationships than clothes. He showed me how to be a friend, how to be loyal, how to be always present.”

According to Kory, Ken had several passions: Jerri, his wife of 42 years; drawing (he used to hand-draw all the store’s advertising); fishing at his lake house; and making people laugh. “He was a master at telling jokes,” says Ken. “He had a joke for everything and everyone. He truly loved making people laugh.” He also loved spending time with his adored family. In addition to Jerri, Ken is survived by his first wife Carolyn, children Lee, Teresa, Andy, Daniel, Russell, and Kory, and grandchildren Katherine, Jack, Hazel, Max, Aiden, Ben, and Olivia.

Close friend Joe Bell was one of the local high school students Ken hired early on to work in his store. “I was inspired by Ken’s wit and charm,” Joe recalls. “The same magic worked on his customers: Ken’s Man’s Shop grew rapidly as people discovered his shop in an out-of-the-way corner of the Dallas suburbs. His customers from upscale neighborhoods in Dallas would drive miles to the suburbs to shop with him.”

Joe shares one of his favorite stories from when he first joined Ken on a buying trip to NYC. “As we returned to our hotel from dinner, we saw a crowd forming around the front entrance. From a block away, Ken recognized Mohammad Ali. He hustled through the crowd to stand next to Ali and, as he could with anyone, struck up a conversation. The two revisited many of Ali’s fights, and Ken proved himself a true fan, citing all the facts, figures, and dates. Then he looked up at Ali (who seemed about eight feet tall) and told him, ‘You are truly the greatest boxer of all time, but you are a lousy dresser.’ Ali, looking slightly perplexed, then broke into hearty laughter and said to Ken, ‘Sorry, I left my pimp clothes at home…’ As I told Kory when I heard about Ken’s passing, Ken surely met God at the gates of heaven with arms wide open and ready with a joke.’”

Another good friend, Michael Kreiman, spoke to Ken every day when he moved his store in 1993. “We shared ideas about moving from his very classic roots to the opportunities offered by luxury Italian brands. I never had a conversation with Ken where he did not tell me at least two jokes, some of them actually funny. He was a wonderfully generous man, emotionally and financially. He and ‘some of his jokes’ will be sorely missed.”

And from Michael Kern, “Ken was one of the original men’s fashion stores in the Dallas area. Tucked away in North Dallas, he thought of himself as a little Neiman Marcus, selling fashion and style to every customer who shopped with him. His infectious smile and sense of humor kept his customers laughing and shopping. He was a salesman, a showman and a wonderful friend.”

A funeral and Celebration of Life for Ken will be held this Thursday, January 18th at Temple Emanuel in Dallas, 8500 Hillcrest Rd. There will be a service at 11:00 a.m., a reception at noon, and a Celebration of Life at 1:00 p.m. For those so inclined, consider a donation to the Bill Hunt Scholarship Fund, in memory of Ken Helfman. The fund was founded by Ken 30 years ago, in honor of the store’s first employee who started working at the store while in high school. An exemplary student, athlete, and caring friend, Bill Hunt struggled with mental illness and died at age 27. This scholarship fund has already enabled dozens of high school students who exemplify Bill’s standards of excellence to follow their dreams.

RIP Ken Helfman: your wit, wisdom, and compassion continue to make a better world.