CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Stationed outside the old Marshall Field’s with a simple kit, Steve Johnson began shining shoes when he was a young boy.
Fast forward about 40 years and nestled these days just a few marbled steps up, on a small platform, inside City Hall near the east entrance, technically the Cook County Building, Johnson continues the trade.
He’ll offer you a seat on one of several well-worn wooden benches.
“Doing all this, we talk about sports or the latest politics or the latest headlines,” said Johnson.
This is Steve's Shoe-Shine Parlor and has been for nearly 2 decades. Johnson has shared his brand of shimmer with the likes of former President Barack Obama and Reverend Jesse Jackson, Chicago mayors, aldermen, City and County officials, and State and U.S. representatives.
“We have our own little confidentiality thing,” Johnson said. “What happens at the shoe shine stand stays at the shoe shine stand.”
From the sidewalk outside Marshall Field's to the Greyhound station, trailways to O'Hare and then back downtown to City Hall, Johnson’s journey began on the West Side.
“Most people that shine shoes in Chicago are from the West Side of Chicago, and they learned how to shine shoes at a place called Shine King,” Johnson noted.
Many professional athletes and celebrities have been among his personal clientele over the years. This diverse list ranges from Shaquille O'Neal and Hulk Hogan to Gary Coleman and Emmanuel Lewis.
Johnson can bring a shine to almost any shoe material and likely has.
“Any animal skins, crocodile, alligator, stuff like that, a lot of youth are wearing gym shoes,” Johnson said.
The care now goes beyond exotics and standard leather. A true professional, Johnson has needed to adjust his art to changing times.
The pandemic did put a dramatic scuff on the demand for a daily shine in downtown Chicago, but, as someone who’s restored gloss to the best and worst of shoes on the worst of their days, Johnson’s optimism won’t be dulled, and he remains fully committed to the shine.
“I’m all in, I’m going to be here. I’m not going anywhere. I love it and I’m going to stick with it,” Johnson said.
Steve's Shoe-Shine Parlor is Made in Chicago. You’ll find him inside City Hall, bring your kicks.
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