TARGET 160803

A Step Back in Time:

The Forgotten Family Shoe Store Closed for 40 Years


A family in the United States has unearthed an Aladdin's cave of mint-condition vintage shoes in an old building they inherited from their grandparents.

The building operated as a shoe store from the 1940s until the 1960s, but the doors had been locked for decades.

Until about three years ago when the family went to see what they had inherited.

One of the family members posted the rare find to the online noticeboard "Reddit.com", but stopped short of revealing the location, so as to prevent any break-ins.


The storefront seen from the inside. From this photo you can see the shop was called First Class Shoe Store. While the sign is clear from inside, the protective grating, dirty window and sun's glare made it almost invisible from the outside.


Treasure trove: The shoe store that was opened by their grandparents in the 1940s but the owner died, the wife kept the store going as long as she could. The store then closed in the 1960s.


Because of the heat and the dry air, many of the shoes are not in wearable condition. Some of the rubber soles are so brittle, they can't even bend. Still, a production company was happy to come in and purchase several hundred pairs of the retro shoes.


Tartan saddle shoes were the big trend 70 years ago.


Classy: The shop catered for all kinds of shoes, from dressy to casual.


Rare find: Many of the hundreds of pairs of shoes locked inside the building are in good-as-new condition, and feature classic brands like Converse.


"As children we didn't pay much attention to the front of the building. We were going to visit grandma and grandpa," the inheritor said.


In spite of some dust and cobwebs, the unique shoes have aged well.


The historic collection is likely worth a small fortune.

All the shoes appear to be completely untouched and are at least 50 years old, but appear to be as good as new..

The store closed when the grandmother fell ill and the family, too busy to manage it themselves, decided to close it, the online blog, "Messy Nessy Chic" reported.

'I have no idea how profitable (the business) was, perhaps that was a factor (in it closing), the inheritor, known only by his online moniker, "Oktober75&', posted on Reddit.


'My grandparents were known for hoarding. My guess is they went with the mentality ''it will be worth something some day''.

'That day came and went.'

However Oktober75 reiterated that the location will remain a secret for security reasons, until the family is ready.

'When we're ready to draw attention, I'd be happy to share more details,' he wrote.


Classy Nessy Chic wrote: "People would likely pay a decent amount for a proper pair of shoes like these.


Still around: Some of the styles, or variations of them, are still around today.

FEEDBACK MAP

Because the owner is wary of looters, there is no location given for this target.

If you got impressions for which this feedback is insufficient, more information,
pictures and videos can be found at the following web sites:

The Daily Mail
Wimp.com
Messy Nessy Chic website
More photos

Many thanks to Ray McClure for developing and programming this target.