The Selby Shoe Company was founded in Portsmouth, Ohio in 1877 by Irving DREW. The company began as Irving Drew & Company, then became Drew, Selby & Company in 1879. The name was changed to The Selby Shoe Company in 1906. The company specialized in women's shoes and marketed the Arch Preserver brand. The company grew substantially in the 1930s and 40s. The factory employed about 5,500 people at its peak. In 1957, the company was the victim of a hostile takeover. As a result it ended up closing towards the end of the same year.