Mickey Rosmarin, the founder of Tootsies upscale shops, died Friday. He was 63.
The retailer suffered an apparent heart attack at his home near Rice University in Houston.
Tootsies, a luxury women’s specialty store that sells footwear and apparel, has locations in Dallas, Atlanta and a flagship in Houston.
In a message posted to Facebook, the brand paid tribute to its “amazing founder.”
“He loved Tootsies, and has left us with a legacy of style and generosity,” the message said. “We will miss his smiling face every day.”
Members of the Houston community praised Rosmarin’s legacy.
“He was a wonderful gentlemen with class, style and panache,” a Facebook follower wrote. Another tribute read, “Houston is more fashionable because of him. He will be missed!”
Rosmarin founded the Houston boutique in 1975, naming it after the 1927 Al Jolson song “Toot, Toot-Tootsie (Goodbye),” a track featured in the movie-musical “The Jazz Singer.”
He expanded the upscale store to spots in Dallas and Atlanta, bringing his love of European labels to the South.
For more than 40 years, Rosmarin supported the Houston community through generous financial contributions and by hosting events in his shops.
Rosmarin is survived by his daughter, Aurey Harper; brother Kenny Rosmarin; sisters Susie Rosmarin and Judy Pliner; and many dear employees and friends.
