Native Five Towner Steve Madden at Roosevelt Field Mall

Shoe mogul Steve Madden, who was born in Far Rockaway and grew up in Lawrence, held a meet and greet for footwear fans at Macy’s in the Roosevelt Field Mall

in Garden City on March 8.

Guests posed for photos as Madden autographed complimentary T-Shirts and tote bags. TV personality and Steve Madden brand ambassador Julissa Bermudez hosted the event.

For Madden selling shoes has been what he called a “lifelong endeavor” as he worked at a number of footwear companies before beginning his own company in 1990 with $1,100 and selling shoes out of the truck of his car throughout New York City.

“I learned that I have a good instinct for knowing which styles women want, that I’m a good seller and almost everything about the shoe business from the bottom up,” he said about the experience he gained to be a success.

Memories of his native Lawrence remain with Madden as he made many lifelong friends and said. “Guess I just loved the community, and golfing with my dad.”