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Third Street's Shoe Shine Guy May Have To Hit The Road

SANTA MONICA (CBS) — The city of Santa Monica may be kicking Andy Waller just as the recession already has him down.

Waller has been shining shoes on the Third Street Promenade for 14 years. But since the economy has soured, and the Promenade has evolved into a tourist destination where people wear tennis shoes more than business shoes – Waller has seen has business go down dramatically.

Waller can recall a time when he shined 15 shoes a day. That number has gone down to four, thanks in part to the economy and the disappearance of business attire on the Promenade.

Waller owes $965 in back rent that he can't pay. By Nov. 16, his shoe shine stand will be gone, possibly for good.

Interested in helping Waller out? Email him at andywaller05@yahoo.com.

(©2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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