Dallas Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary President Laura Downing and Luncheon And Fashion Show Chair Stacey Walker admitted they were thrilled by the turnout for the Legacy Luncheon at Neiman Marcus Downtown’s Zodiac Room on Tuesday, February 25.
They really shouldn’t have been surprised. After the recent announcement about the closure of the NM flagship taking place at the end of February, the legendary Zodiac Room had been booked to the max for its “final days” in operation. Or, so they thought. More about that later.
But as SAWA former presidents and luncheon chairs gathered in the back of the room, where Bobby Short had once performed for “Mr. Stanley” Marcus’ 90th birthday, the rest of the dining room was sparsely filled with guests who looked like attendees at a 60th high school class reunion. Servers scurried to present popovers and cups of broth to get the guests started as they perused their menus.
Before settling down to lunch, SAWA guests like Auxiliary Co-Founder Margot Perot, Betty Harlan, Patti Flowers, Shannon Graham, Kathie King, Kim Quinn, Suzy Gekiere, Susan Farris, Tiffany Divis, Brooke Shelby, Ellen McStay, Kimber Hartmann, Barbara Sypult, Nancy Bierman, Ramona Jones and Love In Action Award recipient Toni Turner, who will be honored at the upcoming Luncheon and Fashion Show, took the opportunity to catch up.
Carol Seay reported that she had told her kids that she wanted no party for her 80th birthday. Instead the family was headed to an excursion to Egypt in March…. Amber Cohen, who had hosted the kick-off event for SAWA at her home, was joined by NM personal stylist Josh Trevino.
Following a welcome by Laura and NM Downtown GM Scott Mitchell, Stacey reported that the clothes were being generously donated for the Luncheon and Fashion Show on Tuesday, May 6, at the Meyerson.
Major Dawn McFarland told how a mother had arrived at the Army in search of clothes. Staffers, in helping her, discovered that her car had no car seat for little ones and provided one.
To top off the day, NM’s Angela Malone presented the must-have fashions of the spring season with a tip of the hat to Mr. Stanley with one of the displays on “Stanley’s table.”
In the days and weeks following the Legacy Luncheon, there were developments in the store’s finale.
First, it was a stay of closure to the end of March. As that date approached, yet another reprieve took place with the announcement that the store including the bridal salon and Zodiac Room would remain in operation until the end of the year, thanks to negotiations between city of Dallas leaders and NM’s new owner Saks Global.
In order to accommodate the robust demand of the Zodiac, a decision was made to have a buffet with champagne, much to the delight of the guests.