City Of San Rafael Historic Sites
1318 Fourth Street - Marelli Brothers
In July 1888, the Marin Journal advertised for the San Rafael Fruit, Vegetable and Fish Market looking for “fruit, fruit, fruit” for cash at 816 Fourth Street.
But by 1907, several businesses began to be listed at this address, including the San Rafael Gas & Electric Co. and the San Rafael Ice Cream Co.
Then, on June 20, 1921, the Journal reported a business moving in next door: “Charles and Louis Marelli, well known in San Rafael, where they have lived for a number of years, have opened a modern and up-to-date shoe repairing plant at 814 Fourth street, opposite the Tamalpais Bank, and will open for business on the first of July.”
The Marelli Brothers offered “Expert shoe repairing while you wait,” and operated at that location for 52 years. In 1973, the Marin Independent Journal reported that the shop was moving next door, to 1318 Fourth Street (the street numbering changed ca. 1938). The article stated that “the new location will give the shoe repair shop about double its present space.”
By that time, Louis Marelli had died, and the shop had passed into the hands of his and Charles’ sons, Michael and Harold Marelli.
Then, on June 20, 1921, the Journal reported a business moving in next door: “Charles and Louis Marelli, well known in San Rafael, where they have lived for a number of years, have opened a modern and up-to-date shoe repairing plant at 814 Fourth street, opposite the Tamalpais Bank, and will open for business on the first of July.”
The Marelli Brothers offered “Expert shoe repairing while you wait,” and operated at that location for 52 years. In 1973, the Marin Independent Journal reported that the shop was moving next door, to 1318 Fourth Street (the street numbering changed ca. 1938). The article stated that “the new location will give the shoe repair shop about double its present space.”
By that time, Louis Marelli had died, and the shop had passed into the hands of his and Charles’ sons, Michael and Harold Marelli.
Bob, Harold, Dave, Ron, and Dennis Marelli in their shoe repair shop in San Rafael the mid-1980s. MHM Collection
In 2021, the shop celebrated its 100th anniversary, and the grandsons of Charles and Louis owned and managed the shop: Ron, Dennis, Dave and Bob. Three of them still live in the houses that the original Marelli brothers lived in at the west end of San Rafael in the 1920s.
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