“You’re never fully dressed without a shine,” is the tune of Nick Nichols, who can be found at Classic Bootblack, his shoeshine stand between Saladelia and the American Tobacco Barber Shop in the Crowe Building of the American Tobacco Campus. “Shoe shining is a necessity, like cleaning your clothes,” Nick tells me as a customer climbs up into his shoeshine chair.
In a few minutes, Nick has brought the life back into the well-worn leathers of a pair of shoes for just $5. Boots will run you $12, but considering the magic Nick can get from his tandem brushes, it is well worth it.
Nick, a Durham native, started shinning shoes in the ’70s at RDU. “My first stand was actually in the men’s room, so I never had a chance to shine ladies’ shoes.” Now, out in the open of ATC, men and women alike can have their footwear renewed by Nick.
Nick’s shoe business is not limited to polishing on the spot. Customers can drop shoes off for repair, dying, restitching or any number of other things that puts life back into a well-loved pair. Nick’s skills can also be applied to all sorts of leather items, from purses and briefcases to leather jackets.
Nick, who moved to Dallas in the early ’80s to sell jewelry, says, “Having well-cared-for shoes gives you confidence at your job. You are not well dressed with dirty shoes.” Returning to Durham two years ago to be closer to his large family, Nick recognized the need for a shoeshine stand downtown, since none existed.
Nick approached ATC about opening a shoeshine on the campus, and they agreed it was a perfect fit. “When I was young, you could smell tobacco downtown everywhere,” Nick says when asked how downtown has changed. “Things have changed for the better.” Certainly the quality of shoes at ATC has stepped up a notch.
Summer is hard on the shoeshine business since so many people wear sneakers or flip-flops. With cooler weather around the corner, it’s time for people to get their fine shoes in tip-top shape. Give Nick a call at 919-282-8286 or drop in and see him any weekday. Your feet will thank you.
