Off the Wall in Alhambra: The History of Alhambra’s Vans Store

9 West Woodward Avenue,Alhambra CA 91801

26 January, 2023

Description

On Thursday, January 26, 2023, the Alhambra Historical Society will host an event entitled “Off The Wall in Alhambra: The History of Alhambra’s Vans Store," which will feature a presentation and Q&A with Catherine Acosta, Vans’ Archivist and Brand Historian and Steve Van Doren, Vans’ Vice President of Promotions and Events and son of Vans co-founder Paul Van Doren. The presentation will take place at 7:00 p.m. at Alhambra’s Masonic Lodge, 9 West Woodward Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91801. The event is free to the general public and light refreshments will be served. Free parking is available at the Alhambra Masonic Lodge. Vans, the globally-recognized sneaker and action sports brand, has been operating its Alhambra retail store at 420 South Garfield Avenue for almost 56 years. The Alhambra store is Vans’ oldest and longest operating store in Southern California. No other Vans’ store has survived at its original location. The Alhambra store has been in operation since 1968, but there is a possibility that it originally opened as early as 1966—the year that Vans was founded 23 miles south of Alhambra in the city of Anaheim. Alhambra's Vans store is a relatively unknown and unassuming structure that could have historic significance. With Vans creating its official archive in 2019, more information has come to light about the Alhambra store, its role and the overall history of Vans retail operations throughout Southern California in the 1960s and 1970s. This is an opportunity for Vans enthusiasts to learn more about the role Alhambra plays in Vans' history. Everyone attending the January 26 presentation is encouraged to arrive sporting their Vans sneakers, hats and/or t-shirts. We'll go "Off the Wall" together and take a photograph of everyone in their Vans attire!