A Tribute to Neiman Marcus Downtown
For generations of Dallas families, 1618 Main Street was far more than a store. For KSJ Collective, it was also a place where careers were built and lifelong relationships began.
Nearly 2/3 of our team has deep roots within Neiman Marcus Group, representing more than 105 combined years of experience across Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. For many of us, those formative years were spent in the buying and merchandising offices directly above the downtown flagship, learning from extraordinary leaders and mentors who helped shape the professionals we would become.
Its closing is deeply personal to us, and so is the legacy of mentorship, excellence, and exceptional customer service that continues to influence how we lead, work together, and serve our brand and retail partners today.
On September 30, 2026, the iconic Neiman Marcus Downtown flagship at 1618 Main Street in Dallas closed its doors for the final time.
In the days that followed, our social feeds filled with tributes from former associates, longtime customers, and families who had shopped there for generations. Beautiful photographs, personal stories, and heartfelt memories reminded us just how much this store meant to so many people.
And yes, we may have shed a tear or two ourselves.
For those who didn’t grow up in Dallas, it may be hard to fully appreciate what Neiman Marcus Downtown represented. This wasn’t simply a luxury department store. It was a Dallas institution, woven into the traditions and memories of families for more than a century.
Founded in Dallas in 1907, Neiman Marcus opened its home at 1618 Main Street in 1914. Over the next 112 years, the store became a destination for generations of customers.
There were the annual trips downtown during the holidays to admire the beautifully decorated windows, visit Santa, shop for Christmas gifts, and enjoy lunch at the legendary Zodiac Room, complete with its famous popovers and strawberry butter. Families returned year after year, often bringing children and grandchildren to experience those same traditions.
For many of us, those traditions became part of our own family memories, too.
And beyond the holidays, Neiman Marcus was part of life’s special moments. A first designer purchase, a signature fragrance, a dress for an important occasion, a wedding gown, or a gift marking a milestone. Within our own Collective, wedding dresses and rings were purchased there, too. Often, it wasn’t just about what someone purchased. It was about the experience, the people they shared it with, and the memories that stayed with them.
Long before experiential retail became an industry buzzword, Neiman Marcus understood something that remains just as relevant today: how you make a customer feel is every bit as important as what you sell.
The retailer also helped put Dallas on the international fashion map, introducing extraordinary designers and bringing creativity to life through experiences like its celebrated Fortnight events and the legendary Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. It built a reputation not only for what it carried, but also for the people who brought that experience to life.
For us at KSJ Collective, this story is especially personal.
So many members of our team built their careers within the Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman organizations. Collectively, our team represents more than 105 years of experience working within and alongside these iconic retailers, across buying offices, merchandising teams, selling floors, retail leadership, and brand partnerships. Some began as interns, assistant buyers, or business managers and grew into merchants, planners, and senior leaders.
While our experiences spanned different stores, offices, and decades, we share something very special: an education in retail that few institutions could provide.
We had the privilege of learning from extraordinary merchants, leaders, and colleagues who set high expectations, challenged us to think differently, and invested their time in teaching and mentoring us. They showed us what excellence looked like, not only in business but also in relationships, accountability, and taking care of people.
Those lessons did not stay behind when our careers took us in different directions.
They became part of who we are, how we work together, and how we support the brands and retail partners who trust KSJC today. And perhaps one of the most meaningful aspects of that legacy is the opportunity to share what we learned with others.
So, in recognition of this moment, we wanted to do something a little different. We asked members of our Collective to share their personal memories, the lessons that stayed with them, and how those experiences continue to shape their work today.
For generations of Dallas families, Neiman Marcus Downtown was as much a tradition as it was a place to shop.
What is your favorite Neiman Marcus memory?
For some of us, our first memories of Neiman Marcus began long before our professional careers. Others recall extraordinary events, meaningful relationships, and moments that helped define the kind of leaders we would become.
Holly Dupuis, remembering visits to the Cherry Creek store with her mother:
“It smelled different. It felt warmer. I felt like I was sort of a big deal! My mom would always stop at Neiman’s where she inevitably splurged on her signature fragrance Coco Chanel, and the scent of that perfume will forever remind me of those ‘mom dates.’”
Emily Swearingen, on a beloved back-to-school tradition:
“My mom bought caramel apples every September from Neiman Marcus for our teachers for back to school. It was the beautiful packaging, the care in every detail, and the feeling that someone had thought about how to make an ordinary moment memorable.”
Alex Drake, reflecting on an unforgettable Sydney Evan event at Bergdorf Goodman:
“The first that comes to mind is bringing a custom event to life at Bergdorf Goodman… the line was so long and people actually flew in to be a part of it.”
Jennifer Jeanneret, on learning that relationships matter at every level:
“I always viewed executives with great respect, but I also felt they were people who needed just as much human connection as the rest of us. So, I decided to walk the executive hallways periodically, smile and say hello! And what do you know? They smiled and said hello back. They were human, and the gesture proved meaningful.”
Kim Henney, on the relationships that extended well beyond the workplace:
“What I keep coming back to in my heart of hearts is the people. We celebrated marriages, babies being born, extensions of family, promotions, and victories together. We also mourned losses together, propped each other up during challenging times and helped to see each other through.”
Kelly St. John, reflecting on the mentors who helped shape her career:
“When I think about my years at Neiman Marcus, I think first about the people. I had the privilege of working alongside extraordinary merchants, store leaders, and beauty teams who challenged me, guided me, and pushed me to be better. So much of what I learned came from simply being in those rooms, watching how people approached decisions, built businesses, and led their teams. Those experiences helped prepare me for the executive leadership roles I would later hold.
My list of meaningful mentors is a long one, but I would be remiss not to recognize some of the people whose guidance had such a lasting impact on me: Karen Katz, Malcolm Reuben, John Stabenau, Hazel Wyatt, Sharen Turney, Jeannie Galvin, Gerald Barnes, Jim Gold, Jonathan Joselove, and Ann Stordahl.
There are certainly many others I could name, but each of these individuals taught me something important about business, leadership, relationships, and the standards we set for ourselves and others. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my career, and I hope I continue to honor them in the way I lead and mentor others today.”
What standard from Neiman Marcus has stayed with you?
For those who built careers within the organization, Neiman Marcus was much more than an employer. It was a place where professional standards were taught and reinforced every day.
We learned by watching talented people work. By sitting in meetings with experienced merchants. By understanding how a strong business was built, how decisions were made, and why the details mattered.
And sometimes, by being challenged to do something again because it simply wasn’t good enough yet.
Heidi Wanderley:
“There was an unspoken bond and a certain way of working that everyone in the Merchant organization and Senior Leadership had… a level of polished, professional excellence that everyone embodied. When you start your career around that level of talent, you learn by watching and emulating, and over time, it shaped me into the businesswoman I am very proud to be today.”
Kim Henney:
“While very new into my career at Neiman Marcus, someone on the selling floor once said to me, ‘If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing right.’ A simple, yet impactful statement that I’ve carried forward with me that has influenced all my work, no matter how big or small. Whatever I take on must be buttoned up, purposeful, polished with an extra layer of sparkle on top.”
Brandon Navarro:
“‘Leading with love’ always resonated with me because it aligned with my own nature. It meant stopping before reacting, treating people with dignity and kindness first, and putting love into the work you do… There was an implied standard, a quiet seamlessness in how you anticipated needs and took care of people.”
Jennifer Jeanneret:
“Working at Neiman Marcus gave me the opportunity to be in the presence of greatness… It also reinforced that who you are behind closed doors is what bolsters relationships long-term and ultimately leads to great partnerships.”
Kelly St. John:
“The bar was high at Neiman Marcus, and we knew it. You were expected to know your customer, know your business, understand the numbers, come prepared, and pay attention to the smallest details. But what I also remember is how much we learned from the people around us. Some of the best leaders held us accountable to very high standards while taking the time to explain why those standards mattered. I have always believed that you can expect excellence and still lead with warmth, respect, a smile, and genuine care for people. Those things are not mutually exclusive.”
The experience gained across decades of retail leadership continues to shape the work of our Collective today.
What does that experience mean for the brands we serve today?
This is perhaps the most meaningful part of the Neiman Marcus legacy for our Collective.
The knowledge and experience our team gained over those years is not something we simply look back on with appreciation. We draw upon it every single day in our work at KSJ Collective.
We understand how a merchant evaluates a brand, what goes into building a productive assortment, and what happens after the initial purchase order. We understand the importance of operational excellence, retail education, financial discipline, and strong relationships with the people responsible for bringing a brand to life on the selling floor.
Just as importantly, we understand the responsibility that comes with being a true retail partner.
Heidi Wanderley:
“I have had the opportunity to understand the business from both sides of the table. I understand what retailers need from brands to build confidence, create differentiation, and earn their place in an assortment. I also understand the realities of building a brand, protecting its identity, navigating commercial expectations, and translating a vision into sustainable retail performance.”
Kim Henney:
“I bring a unique combination of seasoned retail expertise, instinctive merchant intuition, sharp financial acumen, creative problem-solving and a trained eye for noticing the details that others often miss… This first-hand experience allows me to anticipate needs, gracefully navigate challenges, understand the buying cycle, speak the retail language, open doors and accelerate conversations.”
Brandon Navarro:
“My time at NM made me want to offer more without waiting to be asked. For our brand and retail partners, that means paying attention to what they need, anticipating the next step, and putting care into the details so the experience feels seamless.”
Jennifer Jeanneret:
“We say it all the time at KSJ Collective, but beauty is a relationship-driven business… For our brands and retail partners, this means that we as a Collective speak the language of retail and can help translate a founder’s vision into a strategy that leads to action.”
Emily Swearingen, reflecting on how those standards continue within KSJC:
“I see that same instinct in this team every day, in the attention to detail, the care for the people you serve, and the belief that every touchpoint matters. That’s the standard I see you bring to your brand partners.”
Ashley Hall, reflecting on the influence of Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman on the KSJC’s team:
“While I did not grow up surrounded by Neiman Marcus, I have come to know its legacy through the Neiman Marcus alumni I now work alongside at KSJC. Upon joining the agency in early 2022, I immediately noticed that something felt different. The ethos that shaped my colleagues was not rooted in rigid rules; it was rooted in care, with exceptional service at the heart of everything they do. I quickly saw that genuine regard for people begins internally and naturally extends outward to every client, partner, and interaction. Such service cannot be measured in spreadsheets. It lives in how a conversation unfolds, how a detail is presented, and how a follow-up is nurtured. This organic authenticity and thoughtfulness form the framework for lasting relationships. Kelly has led our small team with precisely this spirit, offering me an intimate view into the very culture that made Neiman Marcus extraordinary.”
Kelly St. John:
“Having spent so much of my career on both sides of the retail table, one of the things I tell founders all the time is that getting a retail ‘yes’ is an exciting moment, but it is not the finish line. In many ways, the real work is just beginning. Neiman Marcus helped teach me what retailers expect from their brand partners, and what it takes to build a successful business long after that opening order. At KSJC, we bring that understanding into every partnership. We want our brands to know how to earn their place in an assortment, but also how to build productivity, support the selling teams, and become the kind of partner a retailer wants to grow with for years to come.”
What did Neiman Marcus Downtown give us?
Reading through everyone’s reflections feels a little like looking through old family photographs. The years, the stores, and the experiences may be different, but the common threads are unmistakable.
And what stands out most is just how relevant those lessons remain.
We learned that excellence is a standard you live, not simply something you talk about.
From the way a merchant prepared for a meeting to the presentation of a product on the selling floor, details mattered. Preparation mattered. Follow-through mattered. We learned to take pride in the work, whether the task was big or small.
We learned from exceptional people who took the time to teach us.
Some of our most valuable lessons were never part of a formal training program. They came from watching how experienced leaders handled a difficult conversation, guided a merchant through a decision, developed a team member, or approached a business challenge. We were fortunate to learn from people who shared their knowledge, and we recognize the responsibility to pass that knowledge along.
We learned that the customer experience goes far beyond the transaction.
There is a reason families returned to Neiman Marcus for generations. The beautiful surroundings, thoughtful packaging, memorable experiences, and extraordinary service all created an emotional connection. Customers remembered how they were treated. They remembered the people who helped them. They remembered how the experience made them feel.
We learned that relationships and business discipline go hand in hand.
The expectations were high. You had to know the business, deliver results, and take responsibility for your decisions. But you also learned the importance of trust, respect, collaboration, and treating people well. Strong relationships did not replace strong execution. They helped make it possible.
And we learned to anticipate what comes next.
Exceptional service meant thinking ahead. Strong merchants anticipated their customers’ needs. Strong leaders anticipated the needs of their teams. Strong retail partners understood what was required to sustain a business beyond its launch.
These are lessons we carry into our work at KSJ Collective every day.
When we help a founder prepare for a buyer meeting, evaluate retail opportunities, strengthen a distribution strategy, build an education program, or navigate the challenges of growing a brand, we draw from that collective experience.
We know the questions a merchant is likely to ask because many of us once sat in that chair. We understand what strong retail execution looks like because we were taught by people who expected it. And we understand that lasting partnerships are built through a combination of business knowledge, trust, attention to detail, and genuine care.
Just as importantly, we have the opportunity to share those standards with the talented people who have joined our Collective from other backgrounds and experiences. In that way, the lessons continue to reach well beyond the generation who originally learned them.
That shared foundation is one of the things that makes our Collective special.
Kelly St. John:
“One of the things I love most about our team is that although our careers took different paths after Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, so many of us came from that same core of excellence. And what I find especially meaningful is seeing those standards continue through the talented people who have joined us from other backgrounds and experiences.
We share an understanding of what it means to build a business, support a retailer, and take care of the people who trust us. I often think about how fortunate we were to learn from the leaders and mentors who came before us. I feel a real responsibility to carry those lessons forward, not just in the work we do for our brands, but in how we mentor, develop, and support the next generation of talent in this industry.
That, to me, is one of the greatest gifts Neiman Marcus gave us.”
The closing of 1618 Main Street marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in Dallas retail history. And while we are glad that some of Neiman Marcus’ most treasured traditions, including The Zodiac Room, Bridal Salon, and Santa, are being carried forward at NorthPark Center, there will never be another 1618 Main Street.
But the influence of this remarkable institution reaches far beyond its doors.
It lives in the memories of the families who made traditions there, the associates who devoted their careers to creating extraordinary experiences, and the generations of retail professionals who were fortunate enough to learn from the people who built its reputation.
To Neiman Marcus Downtown, and to the extraordinary leaders, mentors, colleagues, and customers who made it what it was: thank you.
You gave us memories, lifelong relationships, and a standard we continue to aspire to.
And perhaps most importantly, you gave us something worth passing along.
With gratitude, from all of us at KSJ Collective.
With gratitude, 1618 Main Street. 1914–2026.
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