WHEREAS, in 1938, Samuel Friedman opened the original Public Shoe Store on Wilson Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, Sholom “Doc” Friedman, the son of Samuel Friedman, along with his brother, Joel (now deceased), has worked in the shoe store, every day, with rare exception, for more than half a century, serving countless customers from Arlington and across the region; and
WHEREAS, Public Shoe Store endured the disruptions of the building of the Orange Line under Wilson Boulevard in the 1970s, relocating across the street from its original building; and
WHEREAS, Public Shoe Store, now at 3137 Wilson Blvd., was one of the last independent shoe stores in the region, and one of the only stores in Arlington that carried comfort brands and custom fitting; and
WHEREAS, Public Shoe Store and Sholom “Doc” Friedman have been an integral part of the fabric of Clarendon for decades, and provided continuity through many changes and upheavals; and
WHEREAS, Public Shoe Store and Sholom “Doc” Friedman epitomize community in Arlington; and
WHEREAS, Public Shoe Store and Sholom “Doc” Friedman will be sorely missed when the store closes in 2015 and Sholom “Doc” Friedman begins a well-earned retirement;
NOW, THEREFORE I, Mary Hughes Hynes, Chair of the County Board of Arlington, Virginia, do hereby offer our commendation to one of Arlington’s outstanding residents, businessmen and respected members of the Clarendon community SHOLOM “DOC” FRIEDMAN AND PUBLIC SHOE STORE for his many years of service to the Arlington community, and thank him for preserving an independent shoe store in the heart of the Metro corridor for so many decades. On behalf of the County, I wish you a happy and healthy retirement.