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, County Legislator
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...
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