Great Shoe Shine Stands across the nation

[WineGuy]

I was in Nordstrom's in the Paramus Park Mall(NJ) the other day to pick up some replacement laces and noticed for the first time that there was a professional shoe shine stand tucked away behind the shoe department. A gentleman named Mario was shining the shoes of a dapper older man and so I decided to treat myself to a shine as well. What a pleasure. What a shine. I can't believe I've been missing out on this great service and ritual all these years. Now I want to map out the best shiners around and help steer business to them to preserve this dying art and service. Please post your favorite shoe shine stand locations along with the hours. Mario is there Monday thru Saturday from 10-6.

(apologies if there is a similar thread, I did search for several hours on the Lounge to see if one existed and came up empty handed)

 

[skyvue]

I rarely pass up the chance to get a professional shoe shine. It's a rare treat and almost always very affordably priced.

And I've met very few shoe shine guys who weren't personable and friendly.

 

[WineGuy]

I agree with you Skyvue and I'm going to make an effort to seek out other shoe shiners in my area. Amazingly, Mario charged only $2.50 for the shine that took him almost 15 minutes. I gave him $6 and felt guilty that I should have given him more.

 

[handlebar bart]

Had my first professional shoe shine at the Nashville airport on the way home from the FL Monteagle get together. My boots have never looked so good for just $6.50

 

[tonyb]

While there are undoubtedly tricks of the trade that contribute to the kind of shine you get rarely from anyone other than a professional, I still clearly recall what a shine man told me many years ago, when I asked him how he managed to get my shoes shinier than I had ever gotten them by doing it myself. He said it was mostly because he was shining the shoes while they were on my feet, and that if our roles were reversed, and with a bit of practice, I could produce a similar result.

I found his candor and humility quite refreshing. And charming.

 

[Javelina]

The best shoe shine place I've been to is in Manhattan, on 44th between 3rd and Lex. It's on the south side, closest to 3rd. Very close to Grand Central so if you're visiting it's easy to find. It's a shoe repair place that has a shine set up in the front. I used to go there all the time until my office moved. Amazing mirror shines that last.

 

[WineGuy]

Thanks Gentlemen, if you get the chance to visit these shiners again please get their names(and maybe a little history) and hours and post them...I want to make this as functional a thread as possible.

 

[WineGuy]

Newark Airport great shoe shine

I just got a great shine today at the continental terminal at Newark airport. This stand is near the Presidents Lounge and I had the pleasure of getting a shine from a young African American woman(I forgot to get her name, but you can't miss her she has a Rasta hair do). I honestly did not expect much but she really new her trade and gave my Bally Oxfords a great work over. Posted price was $5 but I gave her $10 because I think a lot of men skipped her because she was young and female.

 

[Bugsy]

I was in Nordstrom's in the Paramus Park Mall(NJ) the other day to pick up some replacement laces and noticed for the first time that there was a professional shoe shine stand tucked away behind the shoe department. A gentleman named Mario was shining the shoes of a dapper older man and so I decided to treat myself to a shine as well. What a pleasure. What a shine. I can't believe I've been missing out on this great service and ritual all these years. Now I want to map out the best shiners around and help steer business to them to preserve this dying art and service. Please post your favorite shoe shine stand locations along with the hours. Mario is there Monday thru Saturday from 10-6.

(apologies if there is a similar thread, I did search for several hours on the Lounge to see if one existed and came up empty handed)

The first thing I do when I get to San Francisco, is go the Nordstrom on Market Street to get my shoes shined. It's the best deal in the city, and my shoes just gleam.

 

[WineGuy]

Good to know Bugsy, is there any shiner specifically to look for and if so what's his or her's name? Do all Nordstrom's have shoe shine stands?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I just heard from a friend that their is a really good one in Millennium Station at Randolph in Chicago where the South Shore terminates. I will let you guys know more when I come back on Tuesday.

 

[WineGuy]

I just heard from a friend that their is a really good one in Millennium Station at Randolph in Chicago where the South Shore terminates. I will let you guys know more when I come back on Tuesday.

Get the hours, exact location, rate, and if possible the shiners name.
(might even be fun to take a cameraphone pic and post it.)

 

[Chainsaw]

Eh, what? Yee think they can knock the mud off o' me work boots?

 

[John in Covina]

Las Vegas

Here in LA I don't recall seeing a shoe shine stand in a long time.

But when I go to Las Vegas most of the major Hotel Casinos have one usually near the Casino convenience store and the men's room. Depending on the casino, you may not see the shiner during the week much but the stand is usually manned on the weekends.

 

[Big_e]

I never gave shoeshine stands much thought until I went to the car dealership where I bought my car. As I waited for my car oil change and preventive maintainance, I noted a complimentary shoeshine stand. As I sipped on my coffee, the shoeshine guy asked to shine my shoes. The shine is free but he says he does it for a ministry so you donate what you want.
He puts on a saddle soap first with a rag then brushes it off. Then after brushing it off, applies the polish and my shoes come out shining. I shamelessly came back the next weekend for a cup of coffee and a shine (hey, I had to ask for their price on tires!). Freeman Honda on Wheatland Rd by I-20 has great service.
Ernest

 

[HoundstoothLuke]

There's a really good one in Burlington Arcade in London, pretty good price too, £3.50 for a top-quality shine.


He told me off though as apparently I'd been polishing those shoes incorrectly..

 

[John in Covina]

He told me off though as apparently I'd been polishing those shoes incorrectly..

Tough love intervention?

 

[Silver Dollar]

I've had to learn to do this myself. Being in the military sort of makes that mandatory. I can polish a black combat boot until it shines like the top of the Chrysler building. On second thought, that would be like the top of the Chrysler building in a bad fog.

 

[Mav]

St. Louis airport. Not only a great shine, but damned near a foot massage.

 

[fluteplayer07]

Any great ones in MI? I only am aware of two, but then again, I really haven't been looking. A couple kiosks in Cobo Hall in Detroit. And (I think) Nordstroms at Partridge Creek Mall. I haven't tried either of them.

flute