News: Abbotsford – New Shoe Store Owners (1973)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Bezak, Rafko

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 17 May 1973

Bezak Shoe Store, operated on Abbotsford’s Main Street for the past 24 years by Steve and Elsie Bezak, has been sold recently to Paul and Joan Rafko.

The Bezaks have moved into their new home on Cedar Street and Mr. and Mrs. Rafko are in the process of moving into the apartment over the store on Main Street.

Rafkos came to Abbotsford from Ladysmith where they were engaged in operating their own shoe store for the past 10 years. Hunts Shoe Store in Ladysmith was discontinued by the Rafkos after expansion of another business caused the loss of a lease for their store.

Rafko said the Abbotsford store will continue to operate under the name of Bezak Shoe Store.

Bezak will continue to opeate the shoe repair business in the rear of the shoe store.

The Rafkos are parents of a son, John, who will assist in the business, and two daughters, Debbie, 18, and Pam, 15, who will continue her junior year in Phillips High School.

The Rafko family made their home in Kennan while operating the Ladysmith Store.