The Lost Art of the Shoe Shine

A suggestion for your next trip

I found myself at Penn Station recently, with some time to spare before my train, and I saw an oasis underneath some dry fluorescent lights—a shoe shine booth. I was thrilled. My friend Tony, who I was with, thought I was joking when I said I had been looking for a shoe shine for my loafers and wanted to stop in. I have been known to tell a joke or two, but saying I'd like to get my loafers shined was undoubtedly not one of them. 

Growing up, I remember my Dad had so many tins of Kiwi shoe polish. He even taught me how to shine your shoes. Even now, I know how to shine a shoe, but it's a lot like a martini. You could make one at home (or shine your shoes at home), but it always tastes better (or looks better) when someone else does it. It's a low price for a better shine and a stress-free experience because it mitigates the threat of an errant piece of shoe shine staining your floors.

Now, most certainly, it is an ancient profession, as the only shoe shines that can be found in today’s world are in airports and train stations. Call me romantic, but I love that they still exist, and I love supporting these businesses. It's rare to see anyone other than pilots having a shoe shine, the many empty chairs a relic of eras ago. But in my experience, there's no better way to start a trip than with a new shine on your shoes. Sitting down, taking a moment, and getting it taken care of feels excellent. The only trick is ensuring you wear the shoes you need shined when you happen across one of these establishments. 

What's nice about this endeavor is that it brings new life to dull shoes. It has the aesthetic benefit of making them look new again, but a lesser-known fact is that it helps guard against the elements to make your shoe last a little longer. Replacing a heel is easy, but getting a new top of the sole is much more complicated.

One thing is for sure, though—wherever you go, whether out to dinner or over the Atlantic, that martini will taste just a bit better with freshly shined shoes on your feet. Give it a try!