The history of the retail space at Main and West Pearl streets is well-documented, and what with the site being in the spotlight in recent weeks it seems appropriate to take a look back at the store in the pre-Alec's shoe store era. Judging from the huge Ford sedan in the photo, it was probably taken in the mid- to late-1970s, perhaps right around 1980. Some years later, when store founder and longtime owner Herbert Miller decided to retire, he closed the store and sold the property to Alec Koutsos, who, along with his son and current store owner John, expanded their small store next door into the former Miller's space. Today the store continues to thrive at its home of several years on Southwood Drive. (Telegraph file photo)

The history of the retail space at Main and West Pearl streets is well-documented, and what with the site being in the spotlight in recent weeks, it seems appropriate to take a look back at the store in the pre-Alec’s shoe store era. Judging from the huge Ford sedan in the photo, it was probably taken in the mid- to late-1970s, perhaps right around 1980. Some years later, when store founder and longtime owner Herbert Miller decided to retire, he closed the store and sold the property to Alec Koutsos, who, along with his son and current store owner John, expanded their small store next door into the former Miller’s space. Today, the store continues to thrive at its home of several years on Southwood Drive.