
Shoeshine man with bounce in his step gains a foothold at Union Station
By Nita Lelyveld – Los Angeles Times
Marco Ramirez could not be more proud of his new shoeshine stand at Union Station.
It was specially built out of wood to echo the waiting room’s Art Deco armchairs.
The brass footrests gleam. Ramirez beams. He stretches his arms wide.
With these four high-perched seats, he brings the art of the shoeshine back to the historic station for the first time in decades — and expands his empire across the heart of downtown.

Shoe shine stand opens in Union Station
BY
The first shoe shine stand at Union Station in decades opened Monday, as the stand’s attendant Marco Ramirez and his team began working their magic earlier this morning. Among the stand’s first customers were Metro Board Member and L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and Metro CEO Art Leahy.