The upscale shoe distributor, founded by Benjamin Schwartz, remains out of sight for most local residents - tucked away at 100 Marine Boulevard off the Lynnway - but it's a well-known award-winner in the fashion industry. The family-run enterprise is entering its sixth decade in Lynn and its eighth decade in the shoe business.

Danny Schwartz, grandson of the Benjamin Schwartz, became the company's chief executive officer after his father. Arthur, stepped down a few years ago to assume the board chairmanship at Schwartz & Benjamin.

"We love being in Lynn," said Loran Wurdeman, the company vice president of finance. "We've been here (at Waterfront Industrial Park) for 17 years and are very happy."

Wurdeman, who is responsible for finance and operations, said the company ahs received assistance from the Lynn Economic Development & Industrial Corporation.

Originally a domestic shoe manufacturer, Schwartz & Benjamin transferred all manufacturing and production to Italy in the 1970's.

"Closing the factory was one of the hardest things Arthur ever had to do," Wuderman said.

The company has 45 local employees and functions as a shoe distributor, working with designers and overseas manufacturers to create and distribute shoes under famous brand names. Schwartz & Benjamin currently distributes footwear imported from Italy, Spain, Brazil and China, for designers such as Anne Klein, Michael Kors and Kate Spade. Clients have included Yves St.Laurent and Givenchy.

During the first two decades of the company's history, Schwartz & Benjamin operated in New York City, where it still maintains its sales and design offices. In the mid-1940's Schwartz & Benjamin expanded, opening a second factory in Lynn. All manufacturing was eventually moved to the Lynn location under the guidance of Schwartz' son, Arthur.

"Schwartz & Benjamin has been a successful business in the city for almost 60 years," said Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr. "While we're always trying to attract new business, it's rewarding to see a company that has invested in the city for many years. We wish them another 80 years of success."

Thomas Costin of Nahant, former Lynn mayor and postmaster, worked with Arthur Schwartz in the early-1950's to find a location for the family's growing shoe business. Costin said the company remained committed to its employees and the city at a time when industry fled New England en masse.

"It was a novelty to have a new shoe company build anywhere in the Northeast," Costin said. "The shoes had gone first to the Midwest and the South, and then headed overseas."

Costin likened Schwartz & Benjamin to Malden Mills to demonstrate the company's extraordinary commitment to its employees over three generations. After a devastating 1995 fire, the chief executive of Lawrence-based Malden Mills kept all 3,000 employees on the payroll with full benefits for three months.

"What we're reading now about Malden Mills, well, Schwartz & Benjamin was the precursor," said Costin. "The employees came first and they worked in harmony. Arthur Schwartz' commitment made the company one of the best in the business. He's a top-flight individual and one of the top business people in the greater Lynn area," said Costin.

Schwartz & Benjamin remains active in the community and a member of the Lynn Business Partnership.

"Our strong desire to maintain operations in Lynn for more than 50 years stems in large part from the cooperation we received from Tom Costin and his administration," said Arthur Schwartz.

Wurdeman said maintaining a commitment to employees remains a priority at Schwartz & Benjamin.

"There is an incredible amount of respect shown to our employees," said Wurdeman, who has worked at Schwartz & Benjamin for 18 years. "This started with Arthur's passed on to Danny. We're very lucky. Employee turnover has never been a real problem. Once you become employed here you don't want to leave."