IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION in honor of the memory of Rick Brehm.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 22285, June 1, 2026
INTRODUCED BY Manuel Abarca IV and DaRon McGee, County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, Rick Brehm was a Kansas City fashion icon and haberdasher who passed away in May 2026; and,
WHEREAS, Rick Brehm was a prominent Kansas City businessman, best known for his long career in menswear retail and his role in shaping the city’s pre-athleisure style scene; and,
WHEREAS, Brehm’s professional journey began in the Polo Ralph Lauren store on the Country Club Plaza, which he operated from 1982 to 2004; and,
WHEREAS, in 2004, Brehn opened Hudson & Jane in the Crestwood Shops with his wife, Flo Ann Brehm; and,
WHEREAS, this boutique specialized in European menswear and became more than just a clothing store, it was described as a “clubby” social hub where customers often brought wine to share; and,
WHEREAS, born in western Kansas to educators, Brehm grew up in Hays and Dodge City; and,
WHEREAS, his father, Chuck Brehm, was a basketball coach who won the 1964 national junior college championship and later became head coach at Fort Hays State; and,
WHEREAS, despite his prairie roots, Brehm developed the sensibility of a European clothier, blending traditional tailoring with a personal touch; and,
WHEREAS, Brehm was passionate about polo, sailing, and fine wines; and,
WHEREAS, Brehm was known for his tall stature, booming laugh, and ability to connect with customers on a personal level; and,
WHEREAS, many longtime clients, including lawyers and executives, trusted his taste and enjoyed the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere of Hudson & Jane; and,
WHEREAS, Brehm was one of Kansas City’s last true haberdashers, a term for a master tailor or dressmaker, whose influence helped preserve a more formal, European-inspired style; and,
WHEREAS, Rick Brehm was both a respected businessman and a cultural figure in Kansas City, and will be remembered for his craftsmanship, personal warmth, and role in sustaining a distinctive style era; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Jackson County Legislature honors the legacy of Rick Brehm in great fashion.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 22285 of June 1, 2026, was duly passed on June 1, 2026 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _______6__________ Nays ______0________
Abstaining _____0________ Absent _____2________
Excused _____1_______
______________________ _______________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature