1964 FROM POLAND TO USA
USA
It all started when Stanley and Lidia Wachter brought their children, Luba and Mark to San Francisco. They arrived via ship from Warsaw, Poland in 1964, fleeing Communism.
They landed speaking no english and with just a $100 hidden in the heel of a shoe. Mark was only 9 years old. Luba was 16.
Stanley managed to get a job as a tailor at the famous San Francisco clothier, Fritzi of California.
1974 START OF A BUSINESS ON IRVING STREET
Luba Designs
10 years after moving to America, the Wachter family opened their first business on Irving street. Combining Staneley’s skills as a tailor and Luba’s budding fashion sense, they opened the family owned and operated Luba Designs in 1974. To this day, On the Run leases the original location, right around the corner at 751 Irving street.
The businesses at the Wachter’s opened on Irving included Luba Designs a women’s clothing store, Sheer Necessities a lingerie store and eventually On the Run in 1979.
Additional stores including Just for Kids opened in the early 90’s and Citi Shoes in the early 2000’s but never gained the same traction as Luba’s Designs or On The Run.
Start of ON THE RUN 1979
The original On The Run opened in 1979 across the street where The Beanery (owner Mark Wachter’s favorite spot for coffee) is currently located..
Mark was not a runner. He was a business man whom spent several years after college working in the family clothing store. He saw potential in shoes, noting a lack of stores offering knowledgeable fitting and service. Thus, On The Run was born.
Marks mission was to improve the quality of life for every customer he worked with. He used properly fitting shoes, and later, orthotics to reduce customers pain, prevent injury and increase mobility.
“When it comes to peoples health and well being, I don’t settle.”
~ Mark Wachter, Owner of On The Run
Marks mission was to improve the quality of life for every customer he worked with. He used properly fitting shoes, and later, orthotics to reduce customers pain, prevent injury and increase mobility.
2023 44 YEARS OF ON THE RUN
Over years, the store gained a reputation in the city for excellent knowledge and customer service. Podiatrists and medical professionals began referring their patients to On The Run. Even the San Francisco Police Department reached out to ensure all their officers had properly fitted footwear.
THROUGH THE DECADES
As with any business there has inevitably been changes and loss the way. Stanley passed away in 1988, Luba moved to Maui with her husband and daughter, Leah, in 1999 and shortly there after Luba Designs closed it’s doors for good. In 2010 Lidia passed away. Most recently, on Sunday March 12th, Mark enjoyed his last coffee at The Beanery. It was his day off and he went home to enjoy it with his life partner, Alla. Unfortunately, their date was cut forever short as he suffered a fatal heart attack. While Mark will be sorely missed by all, his legacy, memory and store will live on.