The opening of The Van Doren Rubber Company store paved way for Paul Van Doren and his three partners. Remarkable not only for manufacturing the shoes in the store, consumers had access to purchase them directly on sight. On opening day of March 16 1966, twelve customers ordered shoes in which were produced in the store later to be picked up. Originally, these shoes were the Vans Deck 44, now known as Vans Authentic.