TRIBUTE: STEVE BENSON, S. BENSON & CO.

A pioneer in the men’s wear retail business passed on recently, but left an incredible legacy behind. Steve Benson came to work with my family when I was three years old (I am currently 61.) Steve was 18 and beginning his freshman year at Davis College. My father, Irwin Weintraub, had a men’s retail store aptly named Irwin Clothing Co. in downtown Sacramento, Ca. Dad’s store was magnificent. Seven thousand square feet of the most recognizable labels of the day, including Lacoste. One day in 1975, a sharply dressed man entered the store and introduced himself as Billy Joseph. He was representing a new menswear line and wanted to present it to my dad and staff. Billy opened his Louis bag and smoothly presented us a knit polo styled shirt by a new designer, Ralph Lauren. The shirt bore a label, POLO by Ralph Lauren. After the staging and enthusiastic banter, Billy divulged that if my dad would consider discarding Lacoste and replacing it with POLO, Irwin Clothing would have an exclusive in Sacramento. My father was far from a risk-taker, but he and all the staff had a feeling that POLO would be the next big thing. The decision was made and the rest, as they say, is history. Irwin Clothing had an exclusive for about eight years, until the department stores found a way to smuggle POLO into their stores. However, by that time, we had already established the line and our patrons remained loyal. Soon, as POLO expanded beyond the iconic knit, we had a POLO store within the store. Ralph’s attention and passion for fabrications and design were legendary and remain so today. As the years rolled on, Steve graduated college and remained with Irwin’s, becoming the general manager. His background was in art and he possessed a natural gift. His attention to detail was paramount, and admittedly drove me crazy! For years he and I would argue profusely but hey, I was the boss’s son. Steve was like a big brother so it was natural for us to disagree. Steve remained loyal to my dad and successfully ran the store for 30 years. Then in 1990, Irwin decided to retire and sold the store to Steve and another long-time employee. Their relationship imploded and in 1992, Steve opened S. Benson & Co. on his own.
Steve’s store was about fifteen hundred square feet. He had a passion for retail that was unique in every way. As a student of art, his appetite for display, fixtures, mannequins and inventory placement was so tastefully presented. He was also an expert at designing custom clothing and knew how to take proper measurements. His client base was extremely loyal and many of them have reached out to me with accolades and condolences.

The same for all the vendors we worked with including: Grays by Gary Wasserman and now Left Coat Tee, Georg Roth, Fidelity, Ballin, Mattarazi, Marcoliani, Stantt, Pacific Silk, Lenor Romano, Saxx, Tori Richard, Scott Barber and many more. Steve and I attended the CALA show a few times a year as I did all the buying with him. We also concentrated on MAGIC in Las Vegas which always served as a double purpose: discovering new lines and dining at fabulous restaurants!

Steve was truly low key, loyal, kind and humble. I marveled at the way he greeted and treated all he encountered. I am honored to call him the big brother I never had. I know the men’s wear community is missing him dearly.