Christopher ‘Olajuwon’ Mitchell, who has been plying his trade downtown for nearly 40 years, endured the COVID-19 pandemic and has emerged with his trademark enthusiasm intact
Shoe shiner Christopher “Olajuwon” Mitchell has been a fixture in downtown San Francisco for much of the last 40 years, often bedecked in San Francisco 49ers gear and Hawaiian bead necklaces.
It’s been a year since Mitchell reopened for business, and times are still lean — particularly on Mondays and Fridays, when large numbers of people who regularly used to come downtown work remotely instead. On slow days, Mitchell said, he might get only one or two shines in 10 hours. Mitchell’s clients, including bankers, lawyers, builders and politicians who have known him for decades, return that affection and are eager to sing his praises.
Mitchell keeps big binders filled with sheets of paper that show his customers’ balances for their shoeshine package purchases. Ex // Top Stories Critically acclaimed SF historian recovering from ‘near-fatal’ stroke David Talbot, author of “Season of The Witch,” suffered a stroke earlier this month, and his family is seeking help with medical costs and housing
“He say, ‘you’re gonna need this because you’re not gonna be shining shoes for a while,’” Mitchell said. Wali Jelani, a doorman at the nearby Hyatt hotel who said he has known Mitchell for three decades, said Mitchell is “an excellent cook” who sometimes brings dishes for him to taste. A recent meal featured okra, shrimp and rice seasoned with Mitchell’s own elaborate spice mix.
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