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  • PAX: 41,036,000
  • IATA: YYZ
  • ICAO: CYYZ

Walter's Shoeshine Parlours: if you've got the shoes, they've got the shine.

Toronto Pearson International Airport welcomed a brand new enterprise with a service that's been around for more than 100 years. Walter's Shoeshine Parlours will be offering busy travellers something that simply doesn't happen often these days: a perfect shoeshine.

On Tuesday, June 28th, Toronto Pearson International Airport welcomed a brand new enterprise with a service that's been around for more than 100 years. Walter's Shoeshine Parlours will be offering busy travellers something that simply doesn’t happen often these days: a perfect shoeshine. It harkens back to a time when impeccably shined shoes were one of the hallmarks of a well-dressed and successful gentleman.

But while this may be a new venture for the parent company, their roots in the foot comfort and shoe care business go back to 1893. That's when Ernst Ferdinand Walter founded E. F. Walter in Montreal. Now based in Toronto, the company continues to supply their products to shoe retailers all over the world. So the shoeshine business is a natural evolution for a fourth generation Canadian company that's committed to customer satisfaction, product excellence and innovation.

Sharing in the Walter’s commitment to excellence is another family-run business. All seven Walter's Shoeshine Parlours at Toronto Pearson will be managed and staffed by members of the Atcha family. "My uncle, myself and our team have been delivering the perfect shoe shine experience to travellers for over 33 years and we’re proud to partner with the fine folks of E. F. Walter", said co-owner and operator Mubin Atcha.

Walter's president, Tim Walter, is equally enthusiastic ."Sabbir and Mubin have been working with us for almost five years now, and I’m constantly amazed by the pride that they take in their work."

The new Walter's Shoeshine Parlours are not strictly for men. Each booth will also carry Walter's new line of foot comfort and shoe care products designed exclusively for women. The beautifully appointed, boutique-style booths are reminiscent of a 1920's shoeshine parlour. In other words, a place where one can treat oneself to life’s simple, luxuries. As Tim Walter puts it, "For $8, you're going to feel like a million bucks!"

Now who wouldn't take a shine to that?