The recent cool weather, rain and sloppy wet streets prompted me to pull out one of my favorite pairs of boots the other day. Alas, I had put them away just as they were – dirty and dull, with a tiny tear in the fine Italian leather right on the toe. So, I went to the downtown Nordstrom – though not to shop for another pair of boots. Rather, I dropped mine off at the shoe shine in the men's department on the lower level.
While I browsed racks and ogled new fall fashions, the pros polished up my abused boots. Once I had tired of looking at all the gorgeous sweaters, accessories and shoes, I went to pick them up. My boots looked brand new! Even the blemished leather on the toe was expertly camouflaged.
At Nordstrom, you can wear your shoes in and take a load off while they're polished. Sit in one of the old fashioned shoe shine chairs and watch a little TV while the guys whip your shoes into shape with a high shine in just five minutes. If they're not busy, they'll shine them while you shop, or you can pick them up the next day. It's the best deal in town – shoes are $2.50 and boots are $3.50. Tips are kindly accepted.
Shoe shine services are available at all Nordstrom stores in the men's department.
Kathy Schultz is a Seattle-based free-lance writer. If you have a shop, sale, event or great product tip you'd like to share, E-mail seattleshopping@nwsource.com.
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