shop accessories preview: Herpolsheimer's, Hudson's and Hoekstra

I have spent the morning researching the items in this shop accessories preview before I posted it, and I have to admit, it made me feel a little depressed.  These items nearly all came from Michigan stores--mom and pop shoe stores, high end department stores and boutiques, old timey dry goods stores--that are no longer in existence.  How I wish I could still walk into Hoekstra's shoe store or Herpolsheimer's to shop!  Forget Target and WalMart.  (Seriously.  Forget them.)

The items in this preview came from the following Michigan stores, none of which are around any more:  Hoekstra Shoes, J.L. Hudson Company, Manistee Slippers, Herpolsheimer's, Charles Trankla and Co.

They will begin appearing in the shop today.

Deadstock 1970s caramel brown leather brogues, by Dr. Hiss (I'll be listing these in size 7 1/2 and 6 1/2).

1950s suede shearling lined slippers, Eskimo Woolies by Manistee Slippers.

Deadstock 1960s black patent bow pumps, by Dr. Hiss.

1950s men's black leather Wall Streeter oxfords.

1920s brown satin beaded shoes.

Deadstock 1950s black pinwale cord Flirt slippers with bows, by Daniel Green.

1940s black oxford heels, Cantilever Ground Gripper Shoes.

1960s brown calf leather pilgrim pumps, by Selby.

Deadstock 1950s red and black lace slippers, by Wellco Foamtread.

1920s cocoa brown satin cloche, with a great old label from Herpolsheimer Co. department store in Grand Rapids.

1950s white Corde Bead purse.

1950s brown cotton gloves with little shell buttons, made in Western Germany for J.L. Hudson Company.

1970s round pewter sailing belt buckle, by Indiana Metal Craft.

1970s round brass Art Nouveau flower girl belt buckle.

xo

K

wolverine shoes, 1963

We live a few miles away from Wolverine World Wide, the corporate home of the sellers of Hush Puppies and other brands of shoes.  In 1963, they were apparently doing very well, at least, according to the company's annual report.  They had expanded beyond the crepe-soled Hush Puppies line to begin making work shoes, athletic shoes, leather-soled men's dress shoes, and women's dress shoes, as well as hats and bags.  (I love the red shoes with the little bow on the front cover of the report...and also the gal gazing in admiration at those two-tone men's oxfords.)

When I first moved here in 1998, they were still making shoes right here in Michigan.  They aren't any more.  Now everything is made overseas.  The new, costlier "heritage" Wolverine 1000 Mile Collection is, apparently, made in America, somewhere.  But not in Rockford (though their site kind of implies that they are, with a "Wolverine 1000 Mile Rockford, MI" leather logo stamp on the header).  I've seen some of the collection in person, and they are great looking shoes and boots.  I can't speak to how well made they are.  I do find it a bit depressing that the only way now to have a pair of Wolverine shoes made in the US, you need to have much more expendable income than someone in 1963 did.

Hush Puppies are the ideal shoe for the whole family--in Germany, too!  One reason the company was doing so well was overseas expansion.  They were opening new factories here in the US and abroad to keep up with demand.  (German word of the day: schmutzabweisend, meaning "stain resistant.")

Cutie!

Hush Puppies were (are?) made of pigskin leather.  The tannery in Rockford emitted a most distinctive scent when it was in operation.

The board of directors.  Unsurprisingly, mostly old white guys.  You can see that horn rimmed glasses were the style to wear in 1963.

The back cover of the report.  I love this image--a boot floating over its own shadow to emphasize its lightness!  Cool.

xo

K

snow

Just some photographic proof that we did get a massive amount of snow this year.

We still have snow, but not this much.

I love it.  It makes everything feel cozy.

I need a haircut crazy badly.

xo

K

meijer gardens

My parents were here visiting the other week, and we spent a day at Meijer Gardens.  I might have mentioned the Gardens here at some point--it's one of the best attractions in Grand Rapids.  They have an excellent sculpture park, as well as a pretty great outdoor concert series.  We saw Neko Case there a few years ago, and Andrew Bird is playing there this summer.

But first we had to fortify ourselves with breakfast at Gaia.  Andy and I aren't vegetarians, but my parents are, and we always have to bring them here when they visit.  For a long time it was the only place to get vegetarian food in Grand Rapids; I still think it's the best.

Hee hee!

I loved the intense, dramatic color on these tulips.

Neuron by Roxy Paine.  I think this might be my favorite new thing at the Gardens.

Spooky shot.

Joan Miro, Woman and Bird.

I love this Louise Bourgois Spider sculpture...with birds nesting in its belly.

Keith Haring's Julia.

My mom spotted these in the Victorian Garden.  Isn't the lacy pattern on these blooms amazing?

Sadly, we couldn't take these three to Meijer Garden. Don't worry--they got plenty of other walks.  Look at the mug on Miss Lucy.  Methinks she does not like sharing her couch.

xo

K

midland

Andy, Lucy and I took a little road trip to Midland, Michigan and environs on Saturday. It was a chilly day, so I took the opportunity to wear my newly-aquired vintage Saks Fifth Avenue cream wool swing coat. I was excited to find this because--even though I have dozens of coats as it is--I don't have one, or much of anything really, in this color. The rest of my outfit is non-vintage old standbys: dress and cardi from Target, boots from J. Crew.

We didn't arrive in time to tour the historic mid-century modern Alden B. Dow home (Dow Chemical is in Midland), but I hope to get to see it on another visit. However, I did take photos of the Midland County Courthouse, which was designed by the very colorfully-named Bloodgood Tuttle.

Lucy loves being on the move. Look at those ears fly!

xo

K