Still shinin’ brightly

Gary Moskowitz

MAGNOLIA PARK -- In 1933, Peter Arceneaux would shine a man’s wingtip

shoes for 5 cents, enough money to buy a gallon of milk or a bottle of

wine.

Now, after 68 years of shining shoes -- 20 years at Burbank’s Magnolia

Island Car Wash -- Arceneaux’s shoe shines have gone up to a grand total

of $2.50.

But he’s in the business for the perks, not the money.

“I work for myself. There’s no time I have to be here every day, and

some days, I just don’t come at all,” laughed a bearded, cap-wearing,

Louisiana-accented Arceneaux, who celebrated his 78th birthday with

friends and clients Tuesday. “I learned how to shine from my brother. He

taught me everything I know.”

Arceneaux starts off each shoe with a shampoo wipe down to take the

dirt off. With a rag, he then applies a paste to the leather and hits the

soles with a liquid called “sole dressing,” to get rid of dirt and add a

shine. To finish, the shoes are brushed and given a final wipe down with

a clean towel.

His “office” takes on a shrine-like presence with action figures,

toys, trinkets and pictures of pop singers Janet Jackson and Faith Hill.

A few old chairs placed in a circle are often filled with friends and

regulars who sit and chat with Arceneaux about the good ol’ days.

“I’ve grown up around here,” said James Schuh, a regular at

Arceneaux’s shoeshine stand. “We come here and talk about pretty much

everything. I love hearing Pete’s stories.”

Arceneaux’s had his brushes with the Hollywood elite, as well. He

claims when he used to set up across the street from NBC Studios, he

shined the shoes of Edward G. Robinson, James Cagney and Spencer Tracy.

For a quick shine, just look for the sign that reads Expert Shoeshine

by Pete, since 1933, 910 W. Magnolia Blvd.