Maison Weiss is under new ownership in Jackson, MS

A fifty-year-old southeastern stronghold for women’s fashion, fine jewelry, shoes,

handbags and beauty products, the historic Jackson, MS business Maison Weiss in

Highland Village is under new ownership.

Nell and Bernard Weiss founded Maison Weiss in Highland Village in 1975 with the

intent of creating a shopping destination for Mississippi women who sought the very

best in fashion.  

After 40 years of devotion and service to the business, current owners Ken and Tracy

Szilasi, along with their daughter Gabrielle Hammett, have transferred ownership to

Liz Mavar Spratlin and Claire Mavar Porter, sisters originally from Biloxi, with a

desire to carry on the Maison Weiss legacy.

“Maison Weiss has always been a family run organization, and we are proud of

the success we have had.  I have deep gratitude to my grandparents, Nell and

Bernard Weiss, for bringing me into the business and giving me this opportunity.

  I also want to thank our loyal employees over the years for their help in making

Maison Weiss a success. I am looking forward to transitioning the business to Liz

and Claire – I think they are the perfect team to carry on my grandparents’ vision

for Maison Weiss,” said Ken Szilasi.

Ken and Tracy have owned or managed the large-scale women’s boutique since 1985,

when they took over the business operations.  Ken and Tracy grew the business and

improved upon the legacy of Nell and Bernard, enhancing Maison Weiss’s status as a

premiere shopping destination for the women of Mississippi and beyond.  Ken and

Tracy have also overseen the addition of a second location on the historic Square in

Oxford, MS, MW Squared (MW2).  Their daughter, Gabrielle Hammett, has also

contributed significantly to the success of Maison Weiss. 

Liz Spratlin and Claire Porter bring both retail and management experience to join

with the established product offerings of Maison Weiss.

“Having been involved in women’s retail in Jackson for over 15 years with my

previous store, Blithe & Vine, the opportunity to own and operate a large-scale

boutique like Maison Weiss is a dream come true.  We look forward to working

closely with Ken, Tracy and Gabrielle to seamlessly transition the business.  We

are truly excited to build upon the incredible foundation the Weiss’s and Szilasi’s

have established,” said Liz Spratlin.

Claire, a former practicing attorney in Jackson and former Chairman of the

Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission, added, “I’m excited to partner with

my sister to continue the legacy of Maison Weiss.  We look forward to working with

all the current employees of Maison Weiss to continue providing the high-level

experience the customers have come to expect.” 

Ken and Tracy are looking forward to moving into the next phase of their lives, with

plans of travel and fellowship with friends and family.  

“Our time at Maison Weiss has been so very fulfilling.  We have come to know

multiple generations of our customers’ families, and it has been a pleasure

serving them and the Jackson community,” said Tracy Szilasi.