Sunday, March 7

1930s time capsule


When you love vintage you always wish you could just step back in time, even for just one day. Well, yestreday I sort of got to do just that. My mother lives in the very small town of Hudson, Michigan and she has opened up a little variety shop that's very vintage inspired though not all vintage. She recently discovered that her shop was a ladies shoe shop in the 1930s that closed in the 1940s. When it closed the irresponible (according to me!) owners threw all the shoes in the basement. Fast forward to a few weeks ago when my mother found these shoes, hundreds of pairs, in a rotted pile. Almost all of them ruined, petrified and molded. Rigid and brittle as glass. BUT, the ones at the very bottom of the pile, protected by the ones at the top were still in excelelnt condition. I went to my mother's shop yesterday and was nearly reduced to tears as I saw exactly HOW many pairs of shoes she has, and what's more, they are all deadstock and there are mulitples of some styles! To make it even more exciting, many were my size, so I tried on and took all the ones that were wearable and fit me, and also some for the shop. It was almost surreal to want a pair of 1930s shoes and have three of the same exact pair to try on for best fit just like a modern day shoe shop. When ever again will I experience this, never I am sure. My mother says there are more still in the basement and I told her to get down there and rescue them!



Above are photos of her shop, the last photo is of my grandmother, Daisy who was very into clothing and being gussied up. Below is what I wore to the grand opening of the shop yesterday, my mother told me to "dress 1940s" and I was happy to oblige.


black 1940s felted bow hat - estate sale
1940s black & white wool check dress (the buttons are wooden knobs!) - private estate purchase
1930s black pumps - thrifted

27 comments:

littlebyrd said...

Lauren! This is amazing! Both the story and the shop :) Look at the entry to the store....perfect. Wish I could visit.

Q's Daydream said...

wow!!!! any of those baby's 8 1/2-9???

Karen/Small Earth Vintage said...

Augh--the rotting shoes! I hope you'll find more that are salvageable. They look so pretty all lined up. Your mom's shop looks so cute--and you look so much like your grandmother!

Jessica / Lola Vintage said...

One word. L U C K Y! With a capital L!
My aunt just opened a variety shop up north, and I have yet to see it. They're springin' up everywhere it seems.

Rosie said...

Now THAT is what I call shoe heaven!

Alicia said...

What an utterly amazing find. Lucky, lucky, lucky! And your grandmother was so gorgeous; I can definitely see the family resemblance.

Unknown said...

my g-d, is it a dream???

i'm craaaazy
where is that store?

The Greedy Seagull said...

I would have dove head first into that shoe pile, mold and all. What a great story!

NoirGirl said...

What a thrilling story! Although my heart aches and aches for all those shoes that were ruined. How on earth could ANYONE be so callous and horrible to have just thrown them in the basement! I really could cry over that.

But I am very excited that your Mom was able to get a hold of the shop and you came to the rescue! You are a Vintage Superhero! :D

You look absolutely lovely in your 40's outfit. Your hair is simply perfect! And I love your dress and hat!

BaronessVonVintage said...

WOW!!!! AMAZING!!!!

alexkeller said...

i want to go to your mom's store RIGHT NOW!!! i can't wait to see what you list in the shop - any that would fit a modern 7.5?!?!?!?!?

Kelley Anne said...

Wow, that sounds like a dream come true. I would love to visit your mother's shop.

Under Capricorn Vintage said...

drooling over the photos of those shoes. incredible! and sign me up for a pair. so lovely!!

Toby Wollin said...

I'd really love to see if your mom has any shoes in 6 1/2 - any chance she will be doing business on the web?

rustlethepetals said...

What fabulous luck! I'm sure all of us vintage lovers are simply dying with jealousy :)

Lisa said...

Wow! That's so awesome!

Marika said...

What a lovely experience! How nice that it happened in your mother's shop as well!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! I am ever so envious!

Malayka said...

WOW!!! That's the sort of treasure trove one always hopes to stumble upon!

reilly said...

I don't know whether to cry or drool! Look at all those perfect white shoes, aaah. Mind picking me up a few pairs? ;)

Zohar said...

Oh my that is amazing!!! Lauren - you have the best of luck :)

Unknown said...

Holly Cow! AAAAAAAAAAAAA! Heaven!
I have two pairs of my grandmothers shoes ( she passed at 92 a few years ago) from the thirties. one pair in black and one in cream and silver. I also have pictures of her wearing them. Such a pretty lady, she was. Will have a show some photos of them on my blog sometime. :)

rachel red lips said...

i think you found the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow! that is soooo exciting. please show pics of every shoe!

Jean Jean Vintage said...

"Lauren, I put those shoes in that basement so that you would find them and know that you are on the right path and so that you would have a nice day. Love, THE HIGHER POWER"

Tricia - Bead Booty said...

How exciting for you! I liken it to stumbling upon a huge stash of vintage Lucite beads...what a thrill!

Bicycles, Friends & Family said...

Vintage shoe heaven!!! It's so cool that our mom owns a vintage shop.
Looking fabulous as always, Lauren!

tree and kimball said...

oh my gosh, the white eyelet leather pair with bows?! sweet as pie.

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