Meet the Doctor

      My name is Yakov, and I am the Shoe and Luggage "Doctor”.  I have more than 25 years of experience in designing, making, and repairing shoes, bags & accessories.  I began my journey in 1980 as a leather cutter in a shop that specialized in making custom made shoes.  In 1989 I graduated from the Kiev institute of Light industry with a bachelor's degree in Leather Goods Technology and Design.  In 1993 we moved from Ukraine to USA and two months upon arrival I was hired by Doug Fratus, the founder of Dr. Shoe.  I worked in the Worthington Mall store for several years before it moved to Park Place Center in April 1994.  From 1994 to 1999 I was a store manager at Dr. Shoe Sawmill and in 1999 became the new owner of Dr. Shoe Worthington, the place where I originally started.