Vans Old School Navy ADULT SHOES AVAILABLE IN MENS VANS SIZING On March 16th, 1966, at street 704E Broadway, in Anaheim, California, Paul Van Doren and three partners opened up their first ever store and the Vans dream was born. The Van Doren Rubber Company was unique in that it manufactures shoes and sells them directly to the public. In 2006 Vans celebrates 40 years at the heart of youth culture.