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WELLAND GETS SMALL PLANT IN SHOE BUSINESS
Modest Beginning To be Made With Prospects Of Enlarging.
ON BURGAR STREET
[Welland Tribune, 16 March 1940]
The establishment in Welland of a shoe manufacturing concern was announced today by T.J. Darby, K.C., of behalf the Welland Shoe Co., formed recently to manufacture children’s shoes and sandals. The new industry is the first of its kind to late in the city.
The company was formed by Steve Krnjaich and Joseph Yeszam of Humberstone, both of whom have considerable experience in the manufacture of shoes, and were until recently connected with the Erie Shoe Co., of Humberstone. The latter is a co-operative enterprise promoted by Mr. Krnjaich which in a year’s time has grown from a concern employing eight persons to the employing 35 at the present time.
The Welland Shoe Company recently completed the purchase from the Griffiths Estate of a brick warehouse at 198 Burgar street, which was formerly occupied by National Grocers, and it is expected that full operations will begin by the first of April. Machinery is now being installed.
The factory will begin operations with 10 employees, but according to Mr. Krnjaich a considerably greater number will be employed when operations are fully under way. The building is sufficiently large to house machinery to occupy 100 employees. Including a basement and two floors, the structure is 80 feet long by 40 feet wide.
The firm has orders available at the present time. Mr. Krnjaich was optimistic concerning future expansion. “With the present demand of shoes, particularly for the export market, I anticipate that it will not be long before we will have to increase our staff,” he said.
Mr. Krnjaich has had 30 year of experience in the show business, first in Jugoslavia whence he came to Canada 12 years ago and later at Humberstone. His partner, Mr. Yeszam has been connected with the industry for 12 years
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