WORKING -- Robert Chao

Story by Greg Risling; photo by Sean Hiller.

HE IS:Polishing his craft.

SHINY, HAPPY PEOPLE

Every day, Robert Chao comes to work, straps on a green apron and waits

for customers to stop by his stand at Fashion Island.

His job can be monotonous some days. The pay is barely enough for him to

cover his rent. The 65-year-old immigrant from Taiwan is part of a dying

breed. Chao shines shoes for a living.

Tucked behind a pole illuminated with neon signs, Chao’s stand can go

virtually unnoticed by shoppers who walk through Atrium Court, unless

they are headed for the bathrooms or the public telephones. Yet nearly

every head turns to look at the Atrium Shoe Shine, as if to pay respect

to a profession nearly extinct.

A LOST PROFESSION

Built with $3,000 of his savings, the stand dates back to a time when

people took trains instead of planes and a shine cost less than one

dollar. Chao decided to polish shoes for a living mainly because of his

broken English.

He came to the United States in 1984 and tried to run a motel in Texas.

When it became obvious the language barrier was hampering customer

service, Chao thought shining shoes might be a good avenue to pursue.

“My friend wanted me to sell flowers, but I thought this would be

better,” he said. “There are other jobs where there are a lot of

complaints. This job is easy to handle.”

THE DAILY SHINE

Located on the periphery of a food courtyard, Chao’s stand is

strategically placed underneath a set of lights. Chao checks his stand

every morning to make sure his supplies haven’t been stolen.

Four of the drawers below the two-seat stand are lined with rows of black

and brown shoe polish, stained rags and thick-bristled brushes. He has

another drawer where he keeps an electronic dictionary and a language

book.

“It’s my teacher,” he said.

Chao only works six hours a day. There was a time when he hustled between

three stands in Orange County. But those days have passed him by, and he

is left with what business he generates at Fashion Island.

Undoubtedly a hard worker, his success is evident in his shine. Chao

doesn’t advertise. His shoe stand isn’t even listed on the shopping

center’s directory.

He gets about 15 to 20 customers per day. On this day, there are enough

customers for Chao to nearly break a sweat. There is a short line of

people waiting. In an hour, 10 customers have walked away with spiffed-up

shoes.

GOOD FOR THE SOLE

Watching Chao work makes one appreciate those who remain dedicated to the

profession. Shoe shining looks like artwork. First comes the polish --

not too much, Chao said. Then there is the brushing. Chao handles the

brush at a breakneck pace and for a moment, it’s easy to forget this is a

guy who’s eligible for senior discounts at a movie theater.

“It’s exercise for me,” Chao said. “I get a good workout, but it depends

on the number of customers.”

He buffs the shoes just as quickly, giving them a glow. The customers pay

Chao for his work and go on their way. It’s a simple job, but one that

Chao relishes.

“Every customer is very kind to me,” he said. “It’s a nice feeling for me

to know they are satisfied with my work.”