By Anne DeVries
For 21 years, Mary Ann Benson has been the heart and soul of Kinda Krazy Kids & Kompany, a beloved children’s boutique in Westlake that has served as a joyful haven for families. Now, at 80, Benson is preparing to pass the torch to a new owner on May 1st. Her journey began with a leap of faith and blossomed into a cornerstone of the community.
Benson, a former English teacher at O. Henry Middle School with no prior retail experience, opened the store in 2003 after her husband, Joe, lost his job briefly, prompting her to seek a new path. “I had no business plan, didn’t know what a business plan was,” she shared. Spotting a “for lease” sign in the window of a former restaurant space next to Texas Honey Ham, she felt an instant connection. “I pointed at it and said, ‘This is it.’”
What followed was a crash course in entrepreneurship. Benson learned the ropes of retail one day at a time, navigating the Dallas market to select clothing, toys, and books that reflected her teaching background and passion for children’s development. “Everything in the store has educational or developmental value,” she said, a principle that has guided her curated selection of smocked dresses, engaging toys, and carefully chosen children’s books.
Kinda Krazy & Kids and Kompany became more than a store—it became a “happy place,” as Benson calls it, where children played with the store’s train set and parents found thoughtful gifts, often wrapped with Benson’s signature care. Her love for children shone through in every interaction. “If you came in with a child, I’d probably speak to the child before the adult,” she said.
The store also fostered deep connections. Benson formed a bond with a family whose daughter took Taekwondo nearby and would frequent the store. Benson and her husband Joe adopted the two young girls in the family as their own grandchildren. The elder, Maddy, now 30 and engaged, even joined Benson at the Dallas market, sharing moments that Benson cherishes. With three sons, nine biological grandchildren, and two adopted granddaughters, Benson’s family extends beyond blood ties, a testament to her warmth.
Throughout the years of running the store, her loyal dogs remained a fixture. First came Hershey, followed by McCoy, and in recent years, 12-year-old Charlie, all Labrador Retrievers. They each delighting young visitors. “Kids loved them,” she said, recounting the bittersweet loss of Hershey and the adoption of Charlie, named despite a son sharing the same name. “We didn’t change it; as a rescue dog, he’d been through enough,” she shared.
Benson’s impact on Westlake runs deep. Through her donations to Eanes ISD schools, participation in Junior League’s Christmas Affair, and word-of-mouth loyalty, Kinda Krazy Kids & Kompany became a go-to for christening gowns, baby gifts, and trinkets. Longtime employees, including one who started as a customer 19 years ago, speak to the store’s familial atmosphere.
As she prepares to sell the business, a process that began last August, Benson was resolute about ensuring the right buyer. “I want to know who it’s going to,” she said, having turned down brokers to maintain control. She looks forward to the continued success of Kinda Krazy Kids & Kompany, which is soon to be in the hands of a new owner who approached her organically with a desire to purchase the store.
Benson’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: “Be brave and be willing to listen and learn, but don’t be afraid.” Her daring nature, rooted in a childhood of climbing trees and a lifelong love of Christmas, led to a legacy that will endure in Westlake.
Married to Joe, a banker, for 57 years, Benson looks forward to learning pickleball and spending time with her family. As she steps into this new chapter, Kinda Krazy Kids & Kompany remains a testament to her courage, heart, and unwavering love for children and community.
