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The VANS building is huge but the plan is to move into an other building that is even bigger. They'll probably lose the cool street name that way (Shoemaker street) but it will give everyone a bit more space to move around.

Vans have a long history when it comes down to making shoes. Here's a time line of the company that celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Congrats.

BdJ

Vans – An “Off the Wall” History

1966    Paul Van Doren and three partners open first store at 704 E. Broadway in Anaheim, Calif. on March 16.  The Van Doren Rubber Company is unique in that it manufactures shoes and sells them directly to the public.  On that first morning, 12 customers purchase shoes which are made that day and ready for pick-up in the afternoon. Vans #44 deck shoes, now known as the Authentic, are born.

Early 70s    Skateboarders who like Vans’ rugged make-up and sticky sole are seen sporting Vans all over Southern California

1976    The Vans #95, now known as the Era, with a padded collar and different color combinations, is designed by Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta and becomes the shoe of choice for a generation of skateboarders

1978    Vans #36, the Old Skool, debuts with the now famous Vans Sidestripe.  The Sk8-Hi is also introduced.

1979    The Vans #98 is introduced and with the help of skateboarders and BMX riders, Vans Classic Slip-Ons become the rage in Southern California. By the end of the 70s, Vans has 70 stores in California and sells through dealers both nationally and internationally

1982        Vans Slip-ons gain international attention and appeal when they are worn by Sean Penn in the film Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Early 80s    Paul Van Doren steps back to take a lesser role in company activities; Vans creates shoes for a number of sports from baseball, basketball and wrestling to even skydiving in an effort to compete with large athletic shoe companies

1984    Vans files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  Although the core Vans shoes are selling well, the wide range of products that Vans offers have drained company resources and Vans is not able to overcome debt. Courts approve re-organization plan as Paul Van Doren returns as President; Paul tells all employees that they may not get a raise for three years and they will need to cut back on everything but the quality of Vans Shoes

1987    In three years, Vans has paid back all creditors 100 cents on the dollar and in December, Vans re-emerges from the $12 million debt and Chapter 11

1988    Vans’ original owners sell to McCown DeLeeuw Co., an investment banking firm. With the new owner's financial backing, Vans expands and increases worldwide presence

1989    The Vans Steve Caballero, the first signature skate shoe, is introduced

1991    Vans makes initial public offering of stock at $14 on the NASDAQ stock exchange

1994    Vans begins manufacturing footwear overseas allowing for development of new shoe styles

1995    Vans sponsors the Warped Tour for the first time; In 2001 Vans will buy a controlling interest in what is now the Vans Warped Tour, the longest running concert series in America. Vans introduces the Vans snowboard boot line

1996    Vans sponsors the inaugural Triple Crown of Skateboarding event

1997    Vans begins creating the world’s leading action sports series with the purchase of the Triple Crown of Surfing; by 2000 the Vans Triple Crown Series will include events in skateboarding, BMX, surfing, wakeboarding, snowboarding, freestyle motocross and supercross

1998    Vans opens first of its kind, 46,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor Vans Skatepark at the Block at Orange mall in Orange County.  Daniel Franck wins Olympic Silver Medal in Vans snowboard boots at the Nagano Games

1999    Vans.com and shop.vans.com are launched.  Vans.com now ranks as the number one skate site in the world    

2000    -Vans recognized by Forbes as one of “America’s Best Small Companies for 2000”.
-Vans purchases North America’s leading snowboard camp, the High Cascade Snowboard Camp

2001   - Vans finances the production of Dogtown and Z-Boys, Stacy Peralta’s look at the beginnings of skateboarding and the personalities that evolved the sport.  The film takes the Audience Award and Best Director Award at the Sundance Film Festival.  The film is narrated by Sean Penn. 
-Vans enters into television broadcast deals for the Vans Triple Crown Series with NBC Sports and Fox Sports Net.
-Vans buys controlling interest of the Vans Warped Tour, the nation’s leading action sports and music festival
-Vans again recognized by Forbes as one of “America’s Best Small Companies”

2002    -Dogtown and Z-Boys released nationally by Sony Pictures Classics in April
-The Vans Warped Tour hits 46 cities in the United States as well as tour through Australia for two weeks
-Danny Kass and Doriane Vidal each medal at the Salt Lake City Olympic games wearing Vans snowboard boots
 
2003    -Vans introduces the Vault collection of higher end Vans originals to select boutiques around the world.  The collection includes collaborations with Luella Bartley and Rebecca Taylor
-Vans skate team embarks on its first-ever international tour when the Pleased to Meet You Tour hits seven countries in Europe and then returns to the States for stops in 30 cities
-The Vans Triple Crown Series is bigger than ever with more than 285,000 event attendees and another 50 million + watching on NBC Sports and Fox Sports Net

2004    -Vans launches Vans Customs at www.vans.com, allowing would be fashion designers to create their own Classic Slip-ons utilizing hundreds of different color and pattern combinations.  In October, the Old Skool is added to styles available.    
-In June, VF Corporation completes purchase of Vans for $396 million including stock options.
-The Vans Warped Tour, passing the 500,000 attendee plateau for the first time, celebrates its 10th Anniversary.

2005    -Vans stages the first-ever Vans Cup at Tahoe in February at Northstar-at-Tahoe.  Wyatt Caldwell and Natasza Zurek captured the B.A.R. (Best All-Around Rider) titles, Danny Kass and Hannah Teter won Superpipe, while Caldwell and Leanne Pelosi won the Rail Jam.  These were just a few of the world’s best who competed.
-In an event that many in the skate industry claim may be the best bowl contest of all time, Rune Glifberg, Chris Miller and Cara-Beth Burnside are winners at the inaugural Pro-tec Pool Party in the replica of the legendary and dearly-departed Combi Bowl at the Vans Skatepark at the Block at Orange.  The May 14 event takes place in front of a packed house and draws a throng of past masters and top pros.
-The Vans Warped Tour draws more than 680,000 punk fans during the summer, solidifying its position as America’s longest running concert series.
-Vans creates a new concept in skate street contests with the Vans Downtown Showdown, held in the Universal Studios Back Lot on Labor Day.  Skateboard companies are invited to submit designs for obstacles that were then sessioned in a Brooklyn city block setting.  Toy Machine took the team title, while Chris Cole and Angel Ramirez took the pro and am titles, respectively.
 -The freestyle BMX world descends on Las Vegas at the end of September for the first Vans/Hard Rock Let it Ride BMX Jam.  Ryan Guettler takes the Dirt title, while Scotty Cranmer wins the Street crown.
-The Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters, the third jewel in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, celebrates 35 years at the world’s most famous surf break on Oahu’s famed North Shore
-Vans continues to forge innovative collaborative efforts through the Vault by Vans line with Vans sneaker combinations with design giant Marc Jacobs and OC up-and-comers Trovata flying off shelves.

2006    Vans celebrates 40 years at the heart of youth culture