Local Architects Help to Rebuild Famous Shoeshine Stand
If there is one thing that San Francisco has more than almost any other city in the world, it is local pride and determination to keep each other strong and to keep our history alive. That is why it shouldn’t come as a surprise that locals have teamed up help rebuild a shoeshine stand that was almost destined for the trash heap.
Back in August, a Yellow Cab was heading up Market Street when it went barreling over the curb and crashed onto the sidewalk at Sansome and Sutter, where it did some serious damage. No one was severely harmed, but the shoeshine stand looked like it couldn’t be saved.
Then one local architect jumped into action.
Architects to the rescue
Justin Beadle from Thing One offered the owners and operators of the shoeshine stand, Susan Giammona and Saleem Bey, the chance to get it repaired for free. They agreed and ten local volunteers helped to rebuild the site over two weekends. He did this to not only help preserve some of the local culture but also to help two craftspeople keep their workspace.
According to an interview with ABC 7, “They think it’s one of the best shoe-shine stands on Market Street,” Justin Beadle of Thing One. “And so we’re all hoping this leads to increased business and a restoration of their livelihood.”
In order to form an environment that supports all kinds of people, it is great to look at the work that individuals do that we might overlook. It allows us to put ourselves into the shoes of other people and see the dignity and professionalism in their work. It also shows how important we all are to making San Francisco operate.
The new construction will be stronger, tougher, and more resilient than it was before. You can sit on it to get your shoes shined and you won’t have to worry about harming it. The new design uses protections against people, weather, and even cars so that it won’t happen again. It even has new colors and materials to make it even better than before.
The stand opened earlier this month and runs on a daily basis. You can get your shoes shined perfectly so that you are ready to take on whatever the world has to offer. Go support them and next time you see someone in the community suffering, think of a way that you can give back.