Professional quarterback Joe Willie Namath made a February, 1969, stop at the Stanley Shoe store soon after leading the New York Jets to victory over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. The Jets were the first American Football league team to defeat their National League counterpart in the Super Bowl. "Broadway Joe" was in town as the featured guest of the 10th annual Washington State Sports Hall of Fame gathering on February 17, 1969. The sold-out event was held at the newly completed Tacoma Mall Theatre where celebrities Namath, San Diego Chargers quarterback John Hadl, actor Hugh O'Brian, Oregon State coach Dee Andros and Olympic swimmer Kaye Hall mingled with hundreds of admirers and autograph seekers. Examining the construction of the dress shoe is believed to be John Hadl, San Diego Chargers and former Kansas collegiate star, who was also invited to the Tacoma Athletic Commission-sponsored event. Mr. Hadl would eventually spend 16 years in the NFL, most of them with San Diego, and be elected to the Pro Bowl six times. Also pictured in discussion with the football stars is Joe Macaluso of Stanley Shoes. ALBUM 9. (TNT 2-17-69, p. 10, 2-18-69, p. 1, 14) TPL-8708

Namath, Joe; Football players--New York; Macaluso, Joe; Shoes;

A newly grown-in Fu Manchu mustache in place in February, 1969, professional quarterback Joe Willie Namath seems to be in earnest discussion with Joe Macaluso over which shoes to purchase at a Stanley's Shoe store soon after leading the New York Jets to Super Bowl victory. The Jets upset the National League's Baltimore Colts 16-7 and were the first American Football League team victors in this annual clash. Namath and actor Hugh O'Brian were the featured guests at the Washington State Sports Hall of Fame show sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission held on February 17, 1969. Holding a dress shoe is believed to be San Diego Chargers quarterback John Hadl, right, who also was a guest at the T.A.C. function. ALBUM 9.

Namath, Joe; Football players--New York; Macaluso, Joe; Shoes;

New York Jets quarterback Joe Willie Namath, along with a man believed to be San Diego Chargers quarterback John Hadl, shops at the Stanley Shoe store in mid-February, 1969, soon after leading the New York Jets to victory over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. Joe Namath had something in common with the shoe store--both had "Broadway" linked with their names. Joe Macaluso of Stanley Shoes may have been assessing the feel of the new shoes on Mr. Namath's feet. Mr. Namath, who had a high profile career as Alabama's top quarterback, was one of the featured guests at the 10th annual Washington State Sports Hall of Fame show on February 17, 1969. The sold-out show would be shown on tape delay on KTVW, channel 13. The News Tribune noted that Mr. Namath, who had recently opened several restaurants bearing his nickname-- "Broadway Joe,"-- had his hotel room facing Broadway. ALBUM 9. (TNT 2-17-69, p. 10, 2-18-69, p. 1, 14)

Namath, Joe; Football players--New York; Macaluso, Joe; Shoes;

Professional quarterback Joe Willie Namath with two men soon after leading the New York Jets to victory over the Baltimore Colts in 1969's Super Bowl III. The young Pennsylvania native was one of the featured guests at the Tacoma Athletic Commission's annual Washington State Sports Hall of Fame show on February 17, 1969. Mr. Namath, who had recently re-grown his Fu Manchu mustache after being paid $10,000 to shave it off for a commercial, had journeyed to Stanley's Shoe store during his stay in Tacoma to try on shoes. The man in the center of this photograph has been identified as Joe Macaluso of Stanley Shoes. Man farthest to the right is possibly John Hadl, Pro Bowler, and longtime quarterback of the San Diego Chargers. ALBUM 9.

Namath, Joe; Football players--New York; Macaluso, Joe; Shoes;

ca. 1937. Virolite and plate glass storefront for rent at 1126 Broadway. Former location of Merrick and Race, Jewelers (note "M&R" embossed in facade, sign giving new address). Merrick and Race had moved down the street to 1132 Broadway. Next occupant was Tacoma Jewelry Manufacturing Company. Storefront was located in the David Gross block, constructed 1914, Heath & Gove architects. For Comfort and Davis. (filed with Argentum)

Merrick & Race Jewelers (Tacoma); Storefronts--Tacoma;

Interior view of redecorated Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store, 1122-28 Broadway, circa 1939. Walls lined with shelves filled with shoe boxes, chairs running down the center for customers to sit and try on shoes. Buster Brown Shoes had opened their store in the David Gross Block building in 1924. In 1933, it became Spellman's, owned and managed by William and J. B. Spellman. In 1934, brother J. A. Spellman also joined the company. By 1939, the brothers owned and operated four other shoe stores in the Northwest. Spellman's Shoe Store closed on Broadway around 1966.(filed with Argentum) (TT 3/7/1939, pg.7)

Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store (Tacoma); Shoe stores--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Buster Brown Shoes interior and exterior. The first Buster Brown Shoe Store opened in Tacoma in 1915. William Spellman bought the Tacoma store in 1933, he also owns other stores throughout Washington and Oregon. Interior view of Buster Brown's Shoe Store, shoes are stacked along walls and in center display aisle.

Shoe stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shoes; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Showrooms--Tacoma; Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store (Tacoma);

This photograph of Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store, at 1122 Broadway, was taken in March 1946. The first Buster Brown Shoe Store opened in Tacoma in 1915. William and J. B. Spellman bought the Tacoma store in 1933. They were joined by a third brother, J. A. Spellman in 1934. The brothers eventually owned stores in Bellingham, Bremerton, Vancouver Washington, and Portland Oregon. Spellman's Shoe Store went out of business in the late 1960s.

Shoe stores--Tacoma; Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store (Tacoma);

Five well-dressed men, with carnation boutonnieres, are prepared for the grand reopening of the recently remodeled Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store on Broadway. They are standing in front of stacks of Roblee shoes in this March 9, 1953, photograph. Eugene Pease, partner, is third from the left and owner/manager Jerry Spellman is second to the right. The other three men are possibly the Spellman Brothers, Joseph, Jack and Bill, prior owners. Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store has been completely rebuilt from front to back, with all new interiors, floors, displays, lighting, and furniture. Tacoma has the distinction of having the first ever Buster Brown store in the United States, which opened up in the Mullin Building on Broadway in September, 1915. Photograph ordered by Dave Lester, Fairchild Publications. (TNT 3-8-53, B-7)

Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store (Tacoma); Shoe stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pease, Eugene; Spellman, Jerry;

The interior of the recently remodeled Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store is pictured in this March, 1953, photograph. The long, narrow store is brightly lit, with rows of comfortable chairs for waiting customers. There are shelves full of boxed shoes for easy accessibility. They may not have used a storeroom since there are boxes of shoes even behind the cash register counters. Spellman's had two locations in Tacoma, one on Broadway and the other on South Tacoma Way. They were both owned by Jerry I. Spellman, with the 1953 City Directory also listing Eugene Pease as co-owner of the South Tacoma Way store.

Spellmans Buster Brown Shoe Store (Tacoma); Shoe stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shoes;

Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store was located at 1122 Broadway; it had been there for many years and remodeled several times. The store would present its latest remodeling in March, 1953. Night exposure of Spellman's, with neon signs indicating Buster Brown, Roblee and Air Step shoes were sold within. It had a recessed covered entry with large display windows on both sides.

Spellmans Buster Brown Shoe Store (Tacoma); Shoe stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

As summer came to an end in late August of 1950, it was time to get new shoes for school. Dede Carstens and her mother, Mrs. Thomas Carstens, went to Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store at 1122-28 Broadway. Dede was a student at Visitation Villa. Buster Brown Shoes had opened their store in the David Gross Block building in 1924. In the late 1930s, it became Spellman's, owned and managed by William and Joseph Spellman. Spellman's Shoe Store closed on Broadway around 1966. (TNT 8-27-50, p. D-1) TPL-8727

Children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mothers & children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store (Tacoma); Shoe stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Carstens, Thomas--Family;

Exterior view of Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store. Storefront with backlit metal art deco lettering, neon sign, recessed entrance with plate glass display windows. The first Buster Brown Shoe Store opened in Tacoma in 1915. William and J. B. Spellman bought the Tacoma store in 1933. They were joined by a third brother, J. A. Spellman in 1934. The brothers eventually owned stores in Bellingham, Bremerton, Vancouver Washington, and Portland Oregon. Spellman's Shoe Store went out of business in the late 1960s. (filed with Argentum) (Tacoma Times 3/7/1939, pg. 7)

Shoe stores--Tacoma; Window displays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Signs (Notices); Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store (Tacoma);

Exterior view of Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store. Storefront with backlit metal art deco lettering, neon sign, recessed entrance with plate glass display windows. Buster Brown Shoes had opened their store in the David Gross Block building in 1924. In the late 1930s, it became Spellman's, owned and managed by William and Joseph Spellman. Spellman's Shoe Store closed on Broadway around 1966.(filed with Argentum)

Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store (Tacoma); Shoe stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Window displays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Signs (Notices);