They would steal my shoes all the time, no bullshit. Maybe it was because I always wore Vans back then, and in California, Vans were like Thom McCann - like everyone had a Vans store near them. But back East, no one had it. If you wanted a skate shoe you couldn't get them. You had to mail order them through the magazines.
Vans is still big.
Cabby still rides for Vans. He has a shoe with them. It's turned into a wonderful relationship for him. I can imagine. A national company can do a beautiful thing.