Guide to the Rubinstein's and Richard's Shoes Records c.1950-2001, MSS 1193

Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
Rubinstein's and Richard's Shoes Records
Collection Number
MSS 1193
Extent
3 linear feet
Date
c.19502001
Abstract
Rubinstein's Shoes was opened in 1933 in Downtown McKeesport (Pennsylvania) by David Rubinstein. The Rubinstein's and Richard's Shoes Records documents the promotional and communal efforts of Rubinstein's and Richard's, a pair of family-owned shoe stores in McKeesport, Pa.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
The guide to this collection was written by Catelyn Cocuzzi.
Publisher
Heinz History Center
Address
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History

David Rubinstein opened Rubinstein's Shoes in downtown McKeesport, Pa. in 1933. The store originally occupied the second floor of a downtown building before moving to 319 Fifth Avenue. It served the McKeesport area for 68 years before closing in 2001. Rubinstein's son, Richard Rubinstein, initially worked for his father before opening Richard's Shoes, which had branches in the Greengate and Eastland malls. Richard Rubinstein also started a shoe store called Footloose, opening a location in Shadyside in 1987 and in Mt. Lebanon in 1992.

Scope and Content Notes

The Rubinstein's and Richard's Shoes Records documents the promotional and communal efforts of Rubinstein's and Richard's, a pair of affiliated family-owned shoe stores in McKeesport, Pa. The collection includes seven scrapbooks of newspaper advertisements and promotional materials and three folders of related files, including information about communal organizations such as McKeesport High School, Temple B'nai Israel in McKeesport and the Mon-Yough Area Development Corporation (MYAID). Items of note include a register from McKeesport High School's class of 1924 and a program from the class of 1952's ten-year high school reunion. The former is comprised of questionnaires that provide information such as the profession, address, and marital status for each of the former students. The latter lists the students involved in planning the reunion, some of their businesses, and the students who passed before the reunion. Both the register and the program are of value to genealogists as the information in each item provides a link into the family history of those from the McKeesport area.

Conditions Governing Access

None.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift from Judith and Richard Rubinstein in 2018.

Archives accession # 2018.0211

Preferred Citation

Rubinstein's and Richard's Shoes Records, c.1973-2001, Rauh Jewish History Program and Archives, MSS 1193, Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

Processing by Catelyn Cocuzzi on 04/02/2019.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Subjects

    Geographic Names

    • McKeesport (Pa.)

    Other Subjects

    • Jews-Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh.
    • Merchants-Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh..
    • Stores, Retail.

Container List

Scrapbook of Rubinstein's Advertisements, 1979-2001
Containers
Box 1, Volume [1]
Scrapbook of Richard's Advertisements, 1978-1985
Containers
Box 1, Volume [1]