Favorite Shoe Shine Guy?

[+ Lucky]

Did you ever have a favorite shoe shine guy? I didn't, although I like shined shoes.

[MikeBiDude]

3 hours ago, Lucky said:

Did you ever have a favorite shoe shine guy? I didn't, although I like shined shoes.

Yes, me when I had a shoe shine stand at a local barbershop, at 7 years old!

[jeezifonly]

It’s a lost art. 
Go figure.

[soloyo215]

Not that many of those around anymore. I grew poor so I did my own shoe shining.

[+ Pensant]

Nordstrom used to have a shoe shine service at many of their stores. Alas, no more. Since I rarely wear dress shoes anymore, it’s a moot point. That said, I do a pretty amazing job myself, including a spit shine.

[Nightowl]

Another career field that has bitten the dust.

[Ali Gator]

Years ago when I owned my business, I was located in our city's 'financial district', so I was surrounded by bankers, lawyers, judges, insurance agents, etc. I was especially attracted to the young professionals my age (20s, 30s) who walked into my store with 'shiny shoes and a well-tailored suit' (there were about a half dozen men's tailor / clothing specialty shops within a block or two - all competing for the same clients, especially 'the new hires' each month). I remember every bank building and office building (as well as every court building) had two things as soon as you walked into their lobby:  a newspaper stand, and a shoe-shine. Both were always employed by and older, friendly guy who had inherited the business from a relative. 

The last time I was down in that area was to visit a friend to have lunch a couple of years ago. The area is a ghost-town (as he said, many firms, banks, etc. merged with each other and moved out of the city to a bigger metro area), the men's clothing shops have been replaced by DD and Starbucks, and in the few lobbies I wandered into, what was once the newsstand and shoe shine is now the ubiquitous  'Smoothie' stand. And the hot younger business guys walking around ?  Suits from Kohl's and Target, with Nikes on their feet. Not sexy at all.

[+ Lucky]

Too hot here to walk outside so went to the mall where I saw a shoe station with sneakers cleaning. It appears to be full time.

[Luv2play]

In Victorian London, I have read that shoeshine boys often gave bjs to their clients for an extra tip, so to speak. 

[+ purplekow]

I do recall my last shoe shine.  I would utilize shoe shine stands as a respite from the days activities and to help out a small business man.  They became less and less common and the last one I utilized was in the Philadephia airport.  My flight was delayed and this was before TSA and the rigamarole that goes with it.  The shoe shiner, when asked, said that business was slowly coming to an end.  He said that most men, and the few women,  who used to utilize his services were traveling in sneakers or were too busy to take a few minutes to sit and read a newspaper or chat with him about the events of the day.  He said he would miss it once the stand finally closed.  The next time I was at that airport it was gone.  I had specifically worn shoes that needing a shining even though it was a vacation not a business trip.  

Edited July 8 by purplekow

[+ Gar1eth]

19 hours ago, Ali Gator said:

 the men's clothing shops have been replaced by DD 

Dungeons and Dragons?🤔🤔

[+ Pensant]

7 hours ago, Gar1eth said:

Dungeons and Dragons?🤔🤔

Dunkin’ Donuts 

[+ Pensant]

I believe Nordstrom in downtown Seattle still has a shoe shine. I’ll report back.

[Lotus-eater]

On 7/6/2025 at 12:18 AM, jeezifonly said:

It’s a lost art. 
Go figure.

Rant: I dislike the current fashion of men wearing sneakers (non-leather is the worst) all the time, especially with more formal clothing.

Edited July 8 by Lotus-eater

[+ purplekow]

6 hours ago, Pensant said:

Dunkin’ Donuts 

No longer Dunkin' Donuts.  Now just Dunkin'  and the Donut selection has thinned considerably, at least in NJ.  No longer have coconut donuts and many other favorites.  The donuts are considerably smaller as well.  So thinner selection, smaller donuts and no longer having donuts in the name.  Could be this is intentional!

[+ nycman]

There was a Latino shoe shine guy in my neighborhood that I used to love. He was built like a fire plug and did an excellent job. But, you could tell he really didn’t like being admired. So I made sure to keep it professional. Eventually, I drifted away. A year or so later I ran into him in another shoe shine store way across town. I was happy to see him, but he didn’t look pleased, so I turned around and left. 

Some people just don’t know how to make money. The dude could have easily made a killing, just shining shoes. 

[Smokey]

Over 60 years ago my city, in addition to a few stands located in lobbies, had a shoe shine shop. Besides having your shoes shined there were several booths (similar to public toilet booths) where you would drop your trousers, hang them over the door, and the clerk would brush and then steam press them. Being a young lad this all fascinated me; I suppose they also offered tailoring. Long gone, and have never found anyone who remembers the place.

[+ FrankR]

Up until just before Covid there were active shoe shine stands at all Amtrak stations in the North East. I frequented Philadelphia, NYC and Boston. Grand Central Station in NYC had multiple stands too for commuters.