TRIBUTE TO BELOVED SACRAMENTO RETAILER STEVE BENSON: 1948-2024
Steve Benson ((above, left, with Richard Weintraub) was a much-loved and highly respected retailer with an elevated taste level and an innate appreciation for great product. A kind and caring gentleman, he is survived by his wife, Susan, and son, Alex.
What follows, a few comments from industry friends who miss him already.
My friend/brother Steve Benson came to work with my father when he was 18 years old and a freshman at UC Davis College. My dad owned a fine men’s clothing store called Irwin Clothing Co. in Sacramento, CA. I was three years old at the time. Steve would have dinner with my family six nights a week and would often babysit me and my sisters so my parents could go out on the town. He would read me stories and tuck me in. Steve approached life in a meticulous way and made certain to instill these behavioral attributes in me. Steve was the quintessential Gentile but soon became Jewish by osmosis. He knew as much about Passover, Chanukah and important symbolic events than most. He was truly Mishpucha and the ultimate Mensch!
Steve had a passion for retail that was on display daily. He was a student of art so his appetite for display, fixtures, inventory placement etc. was second to none. I worked in my dad’s store and often battled with Steve over what I thought were minute details. The way I folded a shirt or spaced-out hangers were of paramount concern and I was often reminded how to do things the right way. My Dad had a saying, “There’s the right way, the wrong way and the Irwin way” and that defined Steve as well.
Steve opened his own men’s store, S. Benson & Co, in Sacramento. It truly had a boutique feel and a taste level second to none. For the better part of 20 years, we would go to market together; these were some of the best times of my life. Steve was old school in his approach to customer service. He also was an expert at designing custom clothing and knew how to take proper measurements. His client base was loyal, and many of them have reached out to me with accolades and condolences. The same for all the vendors we worked with. This has provided a great deal of comfort.
I am honored to call Steve the brother I never had and will miss him dearly.
Richard Weintraub
I met Steve Benson more than 30 years ago. Steve cared about people and touched our lives with his kindness. Customers loved him and respected the way he did business. Steve always did his best to please his customers and he is already greatly missed. I’ll never forget you, Steve. I’m thankful for your love and friendship. You will remain in our hearts forever.
Rest in peace,
Ken Haruta
Memories of a Good Man and Good Friend
Over four decades, Steve and I would run into each other as retailers.
When I decided to reorganize my retail business and move back east to design full-time, our relationship changed. Steve was a friend who quickly became a loyal customer. He was one of the few specialty store owners who sincerely loved inspired product. I always looked forward to seeing Steve, and often his dear friend Richard, at the shows.
Making presentations to Steve: “He had a great tell!”
Showing him new items: If he stopped, barely raising his head but looking over his glasses and staring directly into my eyes, I knew I had a winner!
If I didn’t get that look: I knew I had a dead player on the table.
We can all take a lesson from Steve: whether he was buying an item or not, he’d always take time to thank you for all the work, style, and passion that was being offered to him.
Friendship ~ Respect ~ Sincerity… This was my friend Steve Benson. He will be greatly missed!
My condolences to his family and to his dear friend Richard.
Always in my thoughts,
Gary Wasserman
Steve Benson was a kind, thoughtful person and a true gentleman. A terrific merchant, he was meticulous in everything he did. He was somewhat old school with a taste level that was both traditional and contemporary. One just had to visit his store: it was a Sacramento treasure that will certainly be missed.
I always looked forward to my visits with Steve, especially at his store over coffee. I will remember these visits always, as they were a true pleasure. I will miss him very much.
Steve Loucks
Julius Clothing had the pleasure of sharing the city of Sacramento with S.Benson for over 30 years. Steve was the consummate professional who had an incredibly devoted and loyal clientele. He will be remembered for his kindness, passion, and taste level. Steve made Julius a better store; it was an honor to share the city of Sacramento with S.Benson.
With sympathy, Bruce Anapolsky
Steve was a very hard worker who never wanted to slow down, despite what his body might have been telling him. He was a true fighter and worked extremely hard for his very loyal customer base.
Steve was also a wonderful soul. We had many deep conversations about life, family and business. He was a genuine person and I’m going to miss him very much!
Rosemarie Grieco
My condolences to Susan, Alex and Richard. Steve was such a wonderful human being and will be missed by so many.
I only got to know Steve the last 10 years through my good friend and business partner George E Johnson II. Son of legendary Sacramentan Eppie Johnson. George had been going to Steve since he was in high school at Jesuit.
Our office was only a few blocks away so I would come by with George when he was picking up his custom shirts or jeans or T-shirts or one of the dozens of jackets he had purchased from Steve over the years. I think it was the second time we went in the store when the first words out of Steve’s mouth were hi George and how are you doing Scott?
He then proceeded to show me a couple of things that were on sale probably noticing how big my eyes got when I saw some of the retail prices. Having shopping and thrift stores it was an eye-opener going into Steve shop.
Many purchases later I had the occasion to stop by about two years ago to talk about George passing away and checking in on him, Bringing my wife and leaving with another couple pairs of jeans and a few shirts.
I don’t know if I’ve ever met a kinder or soft-spoken positive retailer in my life.
He always spoke with pride about his son and what he was up to.
I commented to George’s wife when she let me know that Steve passed that at least George has a haberdasher in heaven now.
God bless Steve’s family
Scott Van Epps
Last week I stopped by to wish Steve well in his retirement and learned that he had been hospitalized with pneumonia for the past month and had recently been transferred to San Francisco. On Wednesday I called to check in on him and learned that he had passed on Monday.
Steve’s shop was a few steps away from my bakery, MuffinsEtc. and it was customary to see him each morning for his coffee stop. We formed a friendship that continued well after the time I sold my shop.
Steve was so gentle and caring and was the ultimate gentleman with impeccable taste. He will be missed by many.
My name is Caroline Weintraub, Irwin Weintraub’s wife, My heart is so sad this day as my
“brother”, my dearest friend has passed away and now is having a good time with my husband.
They are looking after each other. Steve became the 6th person at my dinner table most nights and I helped him get his first apartment. I threw his engagement party in my home for his lovely bride, Susan and him. Steve was a part of my family joining us in our Jewish holidays and working on the temples’ Food Fair where we called him Steve Berstein…he loved it. He was with me whenever I needed him as well as my son Richard. He was a beautiful person in every way…helpful, a good listener, great with artistic design, and a member of my familyl.\
My heart goes out to Susan and Alex but at least he is no longer in pain.
G-d Bless him and his family and friends.
Steve was an absolute treasure of a human. He helped my husband have a custom suit & vest made for our wedding day almost two decades ago. He always talked about his wife and son Alex. Incredible taste, style and way of doing business. He will be sorely missed! We send our condolences to his family. What a loss for our whole community.
I first met Susan when we both worked at Weinstock’s department store. Through her, I met Steve when he was still at Irwin, which at the time sold some women’s clothing. (I still have a scarf I purchased from him in the 1980s!) Steve was as good at helping women with their style choices as he was with men – a consummate, talented professional and a delightful man.