Dec 01, 2008 - 09:38:26 CST
Ernie Gartner learned his work ethic shining shoes as a teenager at his dad's shoe store and repair shop in downtown Bismarck in the 1930s.After 85 years, the family business is still strong and Gartner, 83, continues to work in the cramped and cluttered back shop of Gartner's Capital Shoe Hospital, 302 E. Thayer Ave.
"I enjoyed my work so I well it became my life," Gartner said.
Now retired, Gartner has since passed the family business down to his son, Mark.
"After I got older, it (work) was something to do. Mark hasn't fired me yet," Gartner joked.
As a steady stream of customer traffic rolls into the store, Ernie comfortably bounces back and forth from repairs to the front counter.
"I work hard and I like people," he said. "That's the number one thing. That's why I do things."
For Mark, working alongside his dad has been a life long learning experience. "I found out after so many years he's not as dumb as I thought he was. Now I find I'm a lot like him."
Sitting in front of a sewing machine one afternoon, Gartner proudly proclaims, "I can still thread a needle."
To view more photos from this series, and past Neighbors photos go to http://www.bismarcktribune.com/neighbors.
Paulette Pietila wrote on Dec 10, 2008 8:56 PM:
Thank you for a nice article and appreciation of what makes America Great.
A proud daughter.
Paulette Gartner Pietila "
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