Rachel Leamy is the owner of The Shoeshine Guild. She founded the business more than two decades after getting off the streets.
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"The level of terror that I was drinking to not be aware of was pretty intense," said Leamy.
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While getting sober, Leamy stumbled into what would become her life's work.
"I had some circumstance where I needed to make some money quick and so I tried and fell in love with it," said Leamy, who not only turned that passion into a business, but also paid it forward, employing others facing addiction. "There's a lot that happens here. It's a job, but there's also a lot of personal growth."
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Freddy Cook is one of the employees she's supported. "Some of the customers here saved my life and helped me huge ways," said Cook, noting the customers provide a connection and the work provides a purpose.
"Well, this was a safe space for a recovering alcoholic to come earn a little money and get your butt to the meeting."
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But that safe space is all but gone; the pandemic taking a toll on Leamy's two Financial District storefronts.
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"All of a sudden it was boom. Doors shut. Shelter in place," described Leamy.
Cook the only employee left on her payroll.
"This place was jam packed keeping four people busy eight hours a day, and now I'm sitting here for four hours and I'm lucky if I see ten people pass by the door," said Cook.
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And while Leamy is hopeful foot traffic will start picking up as pandemic restrictions ease, she knows in order for her business to survive it needs to also be online.
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"What I'd like to have out there is an easy-access pick-up and delivery service so I could get business from all over the Bay Area."
But taking business virtual is proving tough. She doesn't have the money or expertise.
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"I don't know how to do it, you know to create that business," said Leamy. "But if I had someone who could pay for it, I'd love to create that business."
And it's business she believes will continue saving lives.
"It's more than a transaction," said Cook. "It's like the barber. It's where you interact with other human beings."