Historical information

Len and Merle Pilkington came to Wodonga from Wonthaggi in 1946. Len had been an employee on the Victorian railways. They both gained employment with J. Mann & Son of Wodonga where Len became manager of the Shoe Department. When the Sumsion’s shoe shop became available Len and Merle bought it in partnership with Ernie Mann. The partnership dissolved a year later and Len and Merle continued as Pilkington’s Shoes.

In the 1950s, the shoe repair shop belonging to Nick Hauser was up for sale and Len and Merle extended their business. In the mid-1950s they were joined by their son Barry who continued to work there in a variety of roles including shoe repairer, salesman and accountant.

Over the life of Pilkington’s Shoes they operated from two different locations in High Street, Wodonga.
At one stage the business provided a living for six staff, but the impact of the recession of 1982 – 83, competition from chain store discount prices and a reduced demand for high quality shoes took their toll on the business and Barry Pilkington closed his doors in 1993 after several decades serving the Wodonga community.

Significance

This item is significant because it was used and distributed by a major retail business which operated in Wodonga for more than 40 years.

Physical description

A brown coloured plastic shopping bag with white text from Pilkington's shoes, Wodonga

Inscriptions & markings

Pilkington's
Shoes
Wodonga
151 High St.
PH: 24 1154