And in this case Griffith’s Mal Ledwidge is willing to wear it.

He answered the call for information about the old Brooks Shoe Specialists sign this week after it was unveiled by builders working to repair awnings in the middle block of Banna Avenue.

Mr Ledwidge has many fond memories of his time there. 

He started working at the shoe store when he was 17 and was manager by the time he was 19.

He worked there for 18 years before leaving to open his own shoe store called Centre Spot next to Central Butchery.

“Brooks was a family shoe store,” Mr Ledwidge said.

“We’d get mum and dad and the kids all coming in to get fitted. 

“It was a big business in those days. I worked for Clarrie Cole-Clarke when I started and when he got crook I became the manager.

“I remember we had men’s shoes on one side and women’s on the other and we weren’t allowed to talk to the girls.”

The old sign was uncovered at the weekend when builders removed the Payless Shoes facade. 

Now retired, 71-year-old Mr Ledwidge said that when he spotted the sign memories came flooding back.

“I thought it was fabulous,” he said.

“I saw it on Sunday when I was driving past and it brought back so many different memories for me, but mostly good memories. 

“I had so many good people working for me and a lot of them are still in Griffith.

“It closed down about two-and-a-half years after I left.”

John Bortolazzo is another local who can remember Brooks shoe store in its hey-day.

He said in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s it was also the site of Griffith’s biggest bread bakery, which was situated directly behind the shoe shop and was part of the building.