I remember going Brown's Shoe Fit Co. as a child. I got to choose a small toy/trinket, out of the 'treasure chest', after my mom paid for the shoes. What a magical and precious memory!
Good theory for such a rare item - what a special display! Talking about shoes - Going to the shoe store was a big deal back in the days of The Brannock Device. Keds, Buster Browns, PF Fliers; you may not be old enough to remember those as choices for kids' shoes.
That's incredible- when you said all the boxes had shoes in them, I was mesmerized. Don't give up those fabulous shoes- I took a photo of you wearing them at the doll show. BTW, is there a doll show in Seattle this year? We can't find any info for one.