George's Shoeshine & Hatters - World Headquarters

Gov. Pritzker Announces the Largest Class of Small Businesses Inducted into the Illinois Made Program

Area inductees: Great Rivers Country (Northwest & Southwest Illinois)

Trolley Depot Coffee & Tea Co. - Galena
LongStory Coffee Company - Belleville
Four30 Scones - Morton
Abe's Gourmet Popcorn Shop - Belleville
George's Shoeshine & Hatters - Peoria
Yordy Turkey Farm - Morton
Bear's Bites - Peoria*
Voila Macarons - Peoria
[CxT] Roasting Company - Peoria

A compilation of YouTube videos from the last eight years or so.

George's Shoeshine - Peoria Illinois Share your videos with friends, family and the world

One of my four lovely nieces, Angie. Her husband Rick Farnan and their boy Blaze. I always love it when they come it. They were downtown for the parade.

Jake and the Mayor premiering this fall on WTVP.

Just kidding. Two of the few OSF Ministry employees at work today, Jake Sexton and Jim Ardis. Seeing the former mayor casually dressed is unusual.

Due to today's Santa Clause Parade, I'll open early.
9:00 until 2:00

Closed Today. Happy Thanksgiving and I hope to see you tomorrow.

I even got my brother (Emanuel Manias) working today. In from Chicago was Roy Davis' daughter, son-in-law, and their two kids. Thanksgiving in Peoria then off to distant Indianapolis for some Irish dance competition. They'll win the shiniest shoe category.

Also in were Bob Turner, Judge William Holdridge, my friend Bruce Thieman, Jim Ardis, and more. Nice day.

Closed Thursday and back at 10:00 a.m. Friday morning.

Made by his wife and daughter (Marci & Janelle Carballido), my friend Jim Carballido dropped these masterpieces at my shop yesterday. Thank you!

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you.

Closed Thanksgiving.
Regular Hours on Friday, 10-2.

Long-time customer and friend, Jay Fox of Jay Fox - State Farm Agent was in today for two shines! He's been in quite a few times with his 92-year-old father. We're the same age, you know. Jay's mom and dad still golf and still drive. Nice people.

Rachel Mangiapane mentioned my shop in her blog. Thank you very much, Rachel!

P.S. Rachel got a shine here just last week. You can, too.

Others mentioned:

Agatucci's
Avanti's
Carl's Bakery & Restaurant
Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino
Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette
Presleys Outdoors
Trefzger's Bakery

Timeless Peoria Staples We’ve consolidated the “classic” Greater Peoria experiences that have entertained residents for decades. It’s easy to become a regular at these businesses who value quality and consistency while making you feel right at home.

A hearty first-time shine welcome to Peoria Riverfront Museum's Carolina Huser. She was accompanied by Peoria attorney, Peter Dluski. Thank you for stopping by the shop.

Carolia is the Visionary Society and Development Manager at the museum. and Peter is a principal at Morris, Dluski & Smith, LLC

Thanks for coming in Rachel Mangiapane (Caterpillar) and the semi-retired, James Foster.

Like the second, third, fourth, and fifth, the first time is the best time.

And just like that Shane McCann and Julie Dickerson went from not shiny to shiny! Shane is retired U.S. Navy and Julie is a part of OSF Pharmacy. Julie also spent some time working in Jerry Brady's office when he was States Attorney.

Thank you!

Caterpillar manager and Peoria Historical Society board trustee Doug Hamilton stopped in for a pleasant visit. Would love to see more of my Caterpillar friends stop in for a shine!

These guys used my place as a meeting point for their lunch get together at Jack's On Adams (which they reported later as having been "delicious). David Southey, my former mailman, and Tony Brocksmith were both wearing tennis shoes. I don't like tennis shoes. With Dave was his grandson, Kyler. Kyler is becoming a regular in my shop.

Late last week we celebrated the life of my longtime friend, Harold Burdess. We heard some wonderful stories, tributes, and accolades. I got to talk to his daughters who were both in town for the evening. Mostly we acknowledged what a great human being he was. I'm sure going to miss him.

OSF HealthCare
1470 WMBD

Introducing my new mailman, Phil. He replaces David Southey who was downtown Peoria's long-time carrier.

A passel of Brocksmiths was in last week for a few shines and some conversation with me and my brother, Emanuel Manias. Pictured are Ross Brocksmith, Mike Brocksmith, Madeleine Brocksmith, Ben Brocksmith, and Tony Brocksmith. We missed Karen Brocksmith Massey, and Joe Brocksmith.

Joe is my Milwaukee shoeshine supply mule and Mike is my brother's Saint Louis Mythos mule.

In town yesterday to work with John Morris and others at the Peoria Riverfront Museum were Jeff Klopfenstein (glasses) from St. Louis and Richard Beem from Chicago. Jeff is a first-time customer and Rich is coordinating the display of his historic U.S. Patent collection at Peoria Riverfront Museum.

Richard and his wife Becky Graham Beem were also in the shop last June.

First-time customer, Todd Sluser! Todd is from the area and is in pharmaceutical sales. Thanks for coming in Todd. I appreciate it. Your shoes appreciate it.

My friend JoEll Allen was in last week. JoEll stops into the shop from time to time and she was at my de Tonti award celebration a while back at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.

Thanks, JoEll.

I really like it when my business neighbors at OSF St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group (Ministry) pop in for a visit. Today Dr. Ralph Valasquez, Ministry Chief Medical Officer, came by for a shoe tune-up. He's always pleasant to chat with and seems like a good person. I should have posted his picture sooner.

Thank you, doctor.

These gentlemen came all the way from South Dakota just for a shine! I'm kidding, of course.

Jim Rankin, President, and Brad Johnson, Vice-President of South Dakota Mines (engineering, science, & technology university) were in town for meetings with Caterpillar Inc. today. During their meeting, Caterpillar's Sean McManus (I hope I got that right) told them they had to come in for a shine. For that, I'm truly appreciative.

Thank you for your nice visit today and I wish you success.

While not decided in advance, my friends Jim Carballido and Tony Brocksmith accidentally created Pineapple Day at the shop. I only wish I'd have been wearing my pineapple-themed bow tie.

In for the now retired Roy Davis's birthday yesterday were some of his friends as well as some former business partners at Davis & Campbell. Of course, Henry Holling was there. On the bench are Bob Coletta, David Lubben, Ray Davis, and Jim Ardis.

Me and my buddy, Mike McCuskey. Now Illinois Legislative Inspector General, here are some of Mike's accomplishments:

2014-2020: Judge, Illinois Tenth Judicial Circuit Court

1998-2014: Judge, United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois

1990-1998: Judge, Illinois Third District Appellate Court

1988-1990: Judge, Illinois Tenth Judicial Circuit Court

1976-1988: Chief Public Defender, Marshall County Public Defender's Office

1975-1988: Attorney, private practice

If you run into him though, he's "just Mike."

My old friend Chris Duncan was in. Chris is a former Peoria police officer, spent a little time in the political arena, then moved on to preaching. He's mostly retired now so it was time to get a batch of shoes shined. Good seeing you, Chris.

Another movie poster pick-up. Kev Swadinsky stopped by for a chat and to get his 24 x 36 movie poster. He said that this one goes in his living room. Kev said he'd seen the movie four times taking friends with him each time. He said he'd cried every time he watched it.

On the bench? My friend Bruce Thiemann.

Thanks, Kev!

A double-top secret meeting of the Spalding Mafia - Ray Lahood, Jeronimo Spinx, Tony Brocksmith, Bob Manning, Jim Carballido.

All in yesterday to celebrate Bob "Judge" Manning's birthday! Jim Carballido, Jack Berres, Tony Brocksmith, Jeronimo Spinx, Bob Manning, Henry Holling, and Ray LaHood.

Happy birthday, Bob!

𝐆𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘, 𝐆𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘, 𝐆𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘 🥳

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Quick reminder...
CLOSED TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2024.

Our friend, Harold.

Obituary information for Harold Burdess View Harold Burdess's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

We wanted to take a less casual photo than the one we took earlier this week so here it is. Because politics has always been one of my few hobbies, I always love having Ray in my shop. He's always been a good friend to me, my family, and my shop. This picture rates an 8 X 10 framed print in my shop.

Thank you, Ray.

Mr. Bowie said this was his first-ever professional shine. In from California, Peoria's own Glenn Bowie. Glenn is a motivational speaker (Glenn Bowie Speaks, Inc.) who was at the shop at the urging of The Greg and Dan Show. Thanks, guys for the recommendation. 1470 WMBD has always been a friend to my shop. Nice to meet you, sir.