From: MAWIDMAN@aol.com To: mstacey@msn.com Subject: Shoe Corp. Date: Saturday, August 26, 2000 8:21 AM Mike: My whole family worked for Shoe Corp of America. My dad, Izzy Widman, and his brother, Arden Widman, started with Schiff Brothers Shoes in 1924-25. They worked the rest of their lives for the company and loved every day of it. Even through the depression they always had an income. I worked there from age 14 until I got out of school at age 23. My brothers and all my cousins worked there, and like you, started by running stock. Arden opened the first leased department in a department store as an experiment for the company in 1926-27 in either Springfield Ohio or Decatur Illinois. My Dad ended up a General District Manager in Omaha Nebraska. My Dad was often written about in Shoe News because he was a great story teller. My Dad died in 1985 and was a company man 'til the end. When I was in Columbus 15 to 18 years ago, I called the company headquarters and asked for Herbert Schiff. After I told him who I was, he asked if I could come over to see him. When I arrived, he bounded out of his office to great me. He introduced me to many people around the offices including Leonard Schiff who could not stop talking about my Dad and the good old days. I was caught off guard by the reception and could hardly react to the warmth I felt. When I mentioned my feelings to Herbert Schiff, he said, "You're family." WOW! I didn't know there were companies like that. I have been doing research for some time and wanted to get some information from Shoe Corp but can't reach anyone on the phone there. Your site talks about the "Old Shoe Corp" and the "New Shoe Corp." What has happened? Did they sell out? Do you think they still have records from the old days? Are there any Schiffs still working there? I don't know how old your site is or if you're still monitoring it, but I hope you are and think you for creating such a site. If there is anyone out there that remembers my Dad or who wants to know something about the old Shoe Corp, I can be contacted by Email: mawidman@aol.com, Home Phone: 913-642-8891, Work: 913-764-7738. I hope to hear from you Mike, Marshall Widman