Meet 3 of Dallas' Chic Collectors

From decorative objects and artifacts to antique cars, these chic collectors are powered by passion.

"THE BRAND HAS EVOLVED INTO A LIFESTYLE. IT'S A CONDUIT TO MEETING NEW PEOPLE.” –JACK GRIFFIN

THE WHO

Upon graduating from Baylor University, where he was on a tennis scholarship, Griffin made his way to Dallas and has been here since. After years spent in real estate development and brokerage, Griffin is living the dream, working with Garages of America (garagesofamerica.com), a company he cofounded with Fred Gans. “The brand has evolved into a lifestyle,” shares Griffin. “It’s a conduit to meeting new people.”

THE PASSION

Jack Griffin has loved cars since he was a young kid running around Harlingen, Texas. “My dad was an auto mechanic, and our family car was a VW bug,” shares Griffin. “One time, he traded in our car for a bathtub Porsche. At that moment, it felt as good as life gets.” From that moment, Giffin was hooked.

STEERING WHEEL BY JOHN KEEBLE / CONTRIBUTOR

THE COLLECTION

"I’m pretty good at acquiring them, but not very good at getting rid of them,” notes Griffin of his impressive collection. “In addition to the Porsches (1955, 1970, 1985, 1989, 2001, 2011 (2), 2018, 2023(2), I have an Audi TTRS and Mazda Miata. I also have a 1984 Mercedes that belonged to my mother and a BMW M-3 convertible that belonged to my late brother."

"SENTIMENTALLY, MY DIRK NOWITZKI COLLECTION (IS MY FAVORITE), MOSTLY BECAUSE HE SPENT HIS WHOLE CAREER WITH ONE TEAM, AND I WAS THERE ALONGSIDE THE ENTIRE WAY.” –GEORGE KILLEBREW / PHOTO BY MERIX ALEXANDER

THE WHO

“I started collecting NFL football trading cards at nine years old,” shares executive vice president of the Dallas Mavericks, George Killebrew. “Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Roger Staubach’s rookie card was the highlight of that year.” The Hawaii-native first found himself in Dallas to attend Southern Methodist University. Now, he is a staple within the sports community and beyond, having been with the NBA powerhouse for nearly 30 years.

THE PASSION

Having found his love (and knack) for collecting at an early age, it is no surprise that Killebrew has accrued many prized treasures in his collection. When asked about his favorite piece? “It is allencompassing, literally from a space perspective and figuratively, of the breadth of the things I have acquired,” Killebrew says. “My Mavericks Championship Ring” symbolizes my 25 years working at the Mavs. My Doak Walker Collection (SMU’s only Heisman Trophy Winner) and My Michael Jordan Rookie Cards. Sentimentally, My Dirk Nowitzki Collection, mostly because he spent his whole career with one team, and I was there alongside the entire way.”

THE COLLECTION

Athletics abound throughout Killebrew's impressive inventory. He shares: "My collection today is a combination of Sports Cards and Sports Memorabilia that focuses on my interests in SMU Athletics (my alma mater and my first job in sports), the Dallas Mavericks and NBA, and Hawaii Sports (where I was born and raised)."

Over time, Killebrew has amassed collections of sports memorabilia that he has yet to open, sparking much interest and curious conversations.

"ONE OF MY FAVORITE ACTIVITIES ON A RAINY SUMMER DAY IS TO EXPLORE ANTIQUE SHOPS. WE FOUND A SHOP THAT HAD HUNDREDS OF COLLECTIBLE SALT AND PEPPER SHAKERS. I HAD NO IDEA IT WAS EVEN A 'THING.'"–ELIZABETH BLAU / PORTRAIT BY KATHY TRAN

THE WHO

It was a serendipitous day in 2012, as restaurateur Elizabeth Blau and her husband Kim Canteenwalla celebrated opening their first restaurant in Las Vegas. The dynamic duo named what is to this day a buzzy destination for discerning guests, Honey Salt. And as they say, the rest is history. Fast forward to today, it is safe to say that Blau leaned into the “salt” theme and has collected over 200 sets of salt and pepper shakers.

THE PASSION

Blau, who recently soared to new heights, opening Crown Block in Reunion Tower (crownblockdallas.com), shared that her collection came pretty organically. “One of my favorite activities on a rainy summer day is to explore antique shops,” shares Blau. “We found a shop with hundreds of collectible salt and pepper shakers. I had no idea it was even a “thing.” But much like Christmas ornaments, salt and pepper shakers are a themed collectible found worldwide.”

When asked which set is her favorite, Blau notes: I love Thanksgiving! It is my favorite holiday, so my collection of turkey salt and pepper shakers are among my favorites, but it would be very hard to pick just one."

DID YOU KNOW. .?

Notes Blau: "Interestingly, it was the Great Depression that boosted the popularity of salt and pepper shakers as a collectible, and there is even a Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers in Gatlinburg, Tennessee."