In this month's issue of Memphis magazine, I tell the story of the "Big Shoe" (as it was usually called) — the big white concrete shoe-shaped shoe store on Lamar that so many of you seem to remember. If you haven't read it, then what on earth have you been discussing at your fondue parties?
Well, my pal Rob Jolly recently sent me an email adding a bit more information to the original story:
"The story on the big shoe brought back early childhood memories. I was 12 years old when the shoe was built. My father (who died this last August) Robert E. Jolly Jr. was the individual that installed the metal roof on the shoe. Jolly Roofing and Sheet Metal (still in existence on Lamar — near the former location of the shoe) had the contract to roof it. The metal shingles were installed individually by my dad, and the trim work was made in our shop and installed by hand.
"I was on the job after school and weekends and handed "Bobby" items to install. My sister and I were both invited to the opening and we went. We were very sorry when they tore it down. Thought you might like an additional, hometown bit of history to a great story."
Thanks, Rob, for that extra bit of information. Putting the roof on the Big Shoe is not something that many companies can brag about.
Rob, by the way, is a lifelong Memphian and THE expert on the history of the old Tech High School here. He's played a major role in maintaining and contributing to the website run by the school's alumni, and it's just packed with great information and photos and memorabilia. If you know about the ongoing debate about whether Tech or Central High School is the oldest high school in Memphis, well you can read a long discussion of that topic here.
