Marin Independent-Journal, CA
April 6 2008
Mill Valley’s other mayor
Joe Wolfcale
Article Launched: 04/06/2008 12:05:14 AM PDT
The sidewalk curb is painted green, meaning 10-minute parking in
front of Tony’s Shoe and Luggage Repair shop at 38 Corte Madera Ave.
in Mill Valley. It usually doesn’t take much longer than that.
Have a pair of cowboy boots that need to be refurbished, need new
soles on a pair of black dress shoes or did the strap on that
one-of-a-kind leather backpack from Italy break the last time you
traveled abroad?
If you live in Mill Valley, chances are pretty good you’ve come to
know Tony, whose real name is Misak Pirinjian. In bucolic Mill
Valley, he’s simply known as the town’s "unofficial mayor."
Since 1986, when he assumed ownership of the tiny shoe repair shop
near City Hall, Pirinjian has developed a semi-cult-like following,
handling any and all repairs, from ordinary shoe polishing to
anything to do with leather goods. Getting to know him is like
stepping into an old pair of worn shoes. Before long, you come away
feeling as though you’ve made a friend for life.
The 54-year-old Armenian has a grace about him, quiet, full of life
with a quip or comment for just about anything.
Pirinjian took over the shoe shop when his father, Vartan, died in
1986. Today, he works out of a small shop with stacks of purses,
leather coats, luggage and shoes stacked on every available square
inch. The second floor is a storage area.
Pirinjian is married with three girls and lives in Terra Linda. He
grew up in Tel Aviv and fell in love with soccer as a young boy.
After his family came to the United States, Pirinjian continued with
soccer, becoming all all-league player at San Rafael High where he
graduated in 1973 and then earned a scholarship to the University of
San Francisco, where he played for legendary coach Steve Negoesco.
Q: How did you get involved in shoes?
A: I guess you could say I’m following in (his father’s) steps.
Q: What is it about the shoe repair business that keeps you getting
up every morning?
A: Making my customers happy is the bottom line. People bring me
their favorite items to fix. It’s about making people happy. And of
course, I can support my family.
Q: You chose the shoe business after getting a law degree in 1981.
Why?
A: I loved law school but it just wasn’t me. Plus, I didn’t pass the
bar.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress