The Metroplex Civic and Business Association (MCBA) once again proved why it sits at the center of Dallas’ Power Circle on Tuesday afternoon, hosting its latest Leadership Luncheon at Perry’s Steakhouse. The fireside chat featured Richard A. Baker, Executive Chairman of Saks Global, in conversation with Sarah Zubiate Bennett, host of Let’s Talk Local and an MCBA board member.
According to Onyinye Akujuo, MCBA’s President and CEO, the association is an “elite, action-driven, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the continued success of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.”
Every two months, MCBA’s Leadership Luncheons spotlight the figures shaping the city’s civic and business future. At the previous gathering, Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE) Global Managing Director, Nicole Chambers, discussed Texas’ expanding powerhouse role in national & global finance, a conversation later recapped on the Let’s Talk Local’s Welcome to Y’all Street podcast with Sarah Zubiate Bennett.
This week’s luncheon drew members of the Dallas City Council, including Maxie Johnson (District 4), Lorie Blair (District 8), Bill Roth (District 11), and Cara Mendelsohn (District 12) – a fitting audience for a conversation about Dallas’ business resurgence and luxury evolution.
Baker, whose acquisition of Neiman Marcus sent ripples through the luxury world, spoke candidly about his long pursuit of the iconic Dallas brand and his responsibility to the community. He recalled advice from Dallas City Manager Kimberly Tolbert, who urged him to “act like someone who has a responsibility to the community.”
Baker also praised Dallas’ progress on homelessness, noting, “I have noticed a tremendous change in the homeless population over the past six months.”
Known for his early-morning walks through the city, often starting around 5:00 a.m., Baker’s deep connection to downtown Dallas was evident throughout the conversation. When asked about speculation over the potential closure of Neiman Marcus’ flagship Downtown store, Baker said he often looks to a portrait of Stanley Marcus for inspiration.
“So Stanley is in my head,” Baker said. “When I have different types of situations, I think, ‘What would Stanley Marcus do?’ Stanley wouldn’t close the downtown store if he were here today. He might not be happy with the way downtown looks, but he would do everything possible to reimagine, reinvent, and redo what’s there.”
With her signature charm, Zubiate Bennett playfully pressed Baker to “tempt us into sharing a surprise today — something Dallasites or Neiman loyalists should look forward to.”
Baker smiled, asked everyone to set their phones down, and stated that the amount of capital being deployed in Dallas was a very large number. He also revealed that Neiman Marcus will be reimagined for new and exciting initiatives, becoming a place where local artistry and commerce meet, a modern echo of the brand’s roots.
While he declined to share full details, Baker left the audience buzzing with the promise of what’s to come – a mix of reinvestment, innovation, and reverence for Dallas’ luxury heritage.
The conversation turned to urban revitalization and the future of work.
“One of the things we learned was that cities don’t work on three days a week. They barely work on four days a week,” Baker said. “You cannot expect a city to survive without the office employees coming to work and supporting the local economy.”
He added that while remote work may improve efficiency, it erodes the mentorship and connection that fuel great organizations.
“You’re not getting the leadership or learning enough about the business…. you need to be in the office.”
As Baker emphasized, Neiman Marcus’ reinvestment in Downtown Dallas will go hand in hand with a renewed push for in-person engagement and collaboration, essential ingredients in rebuilding a thriving urban core.
MCBA continues to strengthen its reputation as the most influential table in Dallas, extending its network beyond the boardroom. Later this month, members will gather for one of the organization’s most anticipated events – the exclusive MCBA Shootout, a high-energy experience where sponsorships have nearly sold out, especially for the helicopter shooting challenge that has everyone talking.
As of now, there are barely a handful of sponsorships or tickets left for this elite event. Those interested should contact [email protected] before the final spots are gone.