Sixty years of shoes

When England’s Queen Elizabeth celebrated her sixtieth anniversary, they called it her Diamond Jubilee. That might be a little grand, though, for Frank Konjarevich, owner and operator of Birmingham’s Frank’s Shoe Repair, 360 S. Old Woodward Avenue, but it’s no less momentous. He’s been at the same location for 57 of the 60 years – the first three were at the site of the current Merrillwood Building. Konjarevich, who was recently honored on his 80th birthday by the Birmingham City Commission, still comes in to work every day, where his son, Frank Konjarevich Jr., has been working with him for the last 40 years. “I think (this anniversary), it’s an amazing accomplishment,” Konjarevich said. “I enjoy the camaraderie of all my customers and being in Birmingham. It’s a good place to do business.” He said he has slowed down a little – he doesn’t come in quite as early as he used to. He loves that his son works with him, as does his grandson, daughter-in-law, and many employees who have been with him for 25 years or longer.

Business Matters for the Birmingham - Bloomfield area are reported by Lisa Brody. Send items for consideration to LisaBrody@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.