History of Brown Shoe: 1943 — 1987
1943
Smilin' Ed McConnell and his Buster Brown Gang debuted on the West Coast NBC radio network. In 1951, Smilin' Ed moved to television, where his show ran until 1954.
1951
Brown Shoe Company acquired Wohl Shoe Company, operator of 350 specialty stores and 800 shoe departments for many major department stores.
1952
Brown Shoe Company moved headquarters from 1600 Washington Avenue to Clayton, MO.
1954
Naturalizer Shoe Store, the first of several hundred stores to carry Naturalizer shoes, opened in Jamaica, NY. Regal Shoe Shops, with 110 locations, acquired by Brown Shoe.
1970-74
Cloth World, Eagle Rubber, Hedstrom, BottomHalf and Meis Department Stores bought by Brown Shoe. Juvenile and Recreational Products Companies Division formed.
1981
36-store Famous Footwear chain acquired.
1984
Brown Group International established.
1985-96
Brown Group begins decade-long strategic
repositioning — non-footwear businesses sold, all domestic manufacturing plants closed.
1987
Acquisition of Pagoda Trading Company
completed.
