Louis Weisman Kariel, Jr.

Texas Historical Marker Application Narrative

THE HUB SHOE STORE

by Gail K. Beil

The Hub Shoe Store ("The Hub") in the 100 block of East Austin Street in Marshall, Texas, opened in 1897 at what is now 113 East Austin. It was owned by Mose Weisman. Mose was the brother of Joe Weisman who had established Joe Weisman and Co. Department Store at 411 N. Washington (now 211) in 1878. The Weisman family emigrated from Bavaria, Germany, to Syracuse, New York, and then all but one of the seven siblings came to Texas, beginning with Joe who arrived on a steamboat in 1866. All were a part of the thriving Jewish community in Marshall.

              In front of the store from its inception, was an iconic replica of a wagon wheel hub, painted red.  Sometimes the object of vandalism, it has been rescued from rural ditches more than once.  Even though the store has been closed nearly a decade, the Hub sign remains and is a part of the newly restored storefront. 

Mose=s sister Carrie Weisman Kariel, had one son, Louis Weisman Kariel, Sr. Louis, Sr., fought in World War I, then attended the University of Texas where he obtained a degree in chemistry. He worked as a chemist in Sugarland until 1923, when he returned home to Marshall to look after his mother, whose husband Morris Kariel had died in 1918. Louis bought his uncle=s interest in The Hub in 1924 and partnered with Hugh Pierpont for a brief time. He was the sole owner by 1928 when the store was relocated next to its original location in what is now 111 East Austin Street.
Louis, Sr. was not the only family member who made a career change. His son, Louis, Jr. joined the family business in 1949 after a stint in the Navy during World War II and a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. A few years later Louis, Sr., obtained the original store location to the east which had been a barbershop, among other things, since the shoe store moved in 1928. An interior wall between them was opened so that The Hub could expand its stock. By the 1950s it carried men=s, women=s and children=s shoes. The most popular of which, according to Mr. Kariel, Jr., was a blue suede men=s shoe of the type worn by - and sung about by - Elvis Presley.
In 1969 Louis, Jr., bought his father=s interest and became sole owner of The Hub. Mr. Kariel, Sr., continued to work as bookkeeper until he was 91. His journals were a history of activities on East Austin Street, recording family births and deaths, the weather for each day, who came into the store and what they bought, and the scores of every University of Texas and Marshall High football game. Mr. Kariel, Sr., died in December, 1990. The store continued in operation until 2001, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 1997.

During its 104 year existence, in addition to shoes, The Hub sold jewelry, purses, wallets, socks, stockings and pantyhose, shoe polish and almost anything related to shoes. In the beginning high button women=s shoes offered with extra buttons and a button hook, were best sellers. In latter years, the most popular brands of women=s footwear offered were Naturalizers, Selby, Hush Puppies and Soft Spots. Men=s shoes included Freeman and Florsheim, and The Hub also carried popular Jumping Jack children=s shoes. Daniel Green women=s house shoes and Evans men=s house shoes were also available. Louis, Jr., received a 50-Year Achievement Award from the Florsheim Company.

The Hub was one of the first buildings in town to be air conditioned. When summer temperatures became unbearable at Temple Moses Montefiore, the congregation met at The Hub, with Louis, Jr., often filling in as lay rabbi.

The Hub Shoe Store is important to Marshall for two reasons: the business was the primary shoe store in Marshall, accommodating all customers, and the community involvement of the family who owned it for 108 years. When the Hub closed in 2001 it was the second-oldest family-owned retail business in town. Its support for the community shows up, among other places, in the yearbooks of Marshall and Pemberton High Schools, Wiley and Bishop Colleges and the College of Marshall, which became East Texas Baptist University. Father and son were often recognized for their patriotism.

Until he retired Louis, Jr., put out more than two-dozen American Flags along North Washington Avenue. Mr. Kariel, Sr., was active in the Rotary of Marshall. Louis, Jr., served the Lions Club and the American Legion. Mrs Kariel, Jr., chaired the Harrison County Historical Commission for seven years. Mr. Kariel, Sr., was mayor of Marshall from 1935 to 1947, the first Jew to serve in that position. His daughter-in-law, Audrey, served on the Marshall City Commission from 1991 to 2001and as mayor from 1994-2001.

Mrs. Kariel spearheaded the drive to build Marshall=s first public library, to complete the civic center (now convention center) and to save not only the historic Texas and Pacific Depot, but also the Amtrak train that serves it. One of her last achievements was to serve as vice chairman of the Harrison County Courthouse Preservation Council that raised the funds and helped write the grants to restore Harrison County=s J. Riely Gordon-designed 1901 courthouse.

Attorney Michael Smith, who purchased The Hub October 1, 2009, and restored it for use as law offices found shelves, signs, doors, mirrors, metal ceiling tiles, photos and other artifacts from the original store in the attic of the building, all of which he has incorporated into the store=s restoration.

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