|
|
Article: 50-yr-old firm shines in recession
- Article from:
- Oakland Tribune
- Article date:
- October 9, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 Oakland Tribune. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
SAN JOSE
Mannie Rice was sitting behind his desk at Lincoln Shoe Polish
the other day -- same as he had for the last 50 years -- when the
telephone rang. The phone is the most advanced piece of electronic
equipment in an office filled with yellowing ledgers and furniture
that can be carbon-dated back to the Coolidge administration. It's
bleating like a sheep when Rice finally picks up.
From the other end came the booming voice of command. "He didn't
say hello, just, 'Where the hell can I get some Marine Cordovan wax
around here?'" recalls Rice, 76. "That was his opening line."
An old Marine had become separated from his supply line of
Lincoln wax polish. His devotion to a shoe shine that ...