Angelus Direct 2
About Angelus Direct 2 About Us Welcome to AngelusDirect.com – where we provide the world’s best leather care products & sneaker accessories. Here at Angelus Direct, our number one goal is to provide our customers with the information to complete any project they can come up with. You bring the questions and we’ll provide the answers! We strive to provide amazing customer service using our Live Chat and speedy replies through e-mail. Bring your questions to one of our Customer Service Representatives by clicking on the button at the bottom right of your screen, or drop us a line at info@angelusdirect.com Although our website is mostly sneaker-based, you shouldn’t let this steer you away! Our products, from paint brushes to dyes, are perfect for anything leather. Many of our customers use Angelus products to work on anything from leather wallets to leather couches! What We Do Established in the heart of America, Angelus Brand has been a cornerstone in leather care and customization for over a century. Originating as a small family business, we have evolved to become a globally recognized brand synonymous with quality, precision, and creativity. At Angelus Direct, we’re not just selling art and restoration supplies, we’re providing artists, hobbyists, and professionals with the tools they need to bring their visions to life. Our range of premium paints, dyes, and finishes has been a game-changer in the custom sneaker and leather goods industry. Each product is a testament to our commitment to excellence, designed to deliver vibrant colors, long-lasting finishes, and consistent results every time. The Angelus Family Tradition At Angelus, our story isn’t just about top-notch products; it’s about the incredible people behind them. Believe it or not, many of our team members have been with us for over three decades! That’s more than just a job, it’s a testament to the tight-knit family bond we’ve cultivated over the years. We wear our history with pride, and the longevity of our staff speaks volumes. Their experience and unwavering dedication have been fundamental to our brand’s growth and success. In a world where change is constant, this consistency has been our anchor. While we’re deeply rooted in tradition, our approach remains fresh and fun. And as we continue our journey as a family-owned business, we celebrate the blend of legacy and innovation that makes Angelus truly unique. So, whenever you pick up an Angelus product, know that there’s a rich tapestry of passion, expertise, and family spirit poured into it. And that’s what sets us apart. Explore Our History Angelus Shoe Polish was not even a dream when the young Greek immigrant, Paul T. Angelos, arrived at Ellis Island. Making his way to Chicago, Paul shined shoes and saved enough money to go to Los Angeles. After arriving in Los Angeles penniless, he secured a job at a large shine stand. Paul saved enough money to open his own shine stand. Through hard work and long hours, he was able to send money for his brothers, George and Louie, to join him. Soon there were 14 employees and three shine stands; Sixth Street – opposite the Hayward Grill, Fifth Street – opposite the Alexandria Hotel, and one next door to The Pantages Theater. After being crowned, “King of the Bootblacks”, Paul was able to make the return trip to Greece to marry his sweetheart. Many years later, Paul would tell his grandchildren what an experience it was to return to Greece on the Ocean Liner, Mauritania First Class, which was the same ship that brought him Steerage to American years before. How fortunate his family was to be able to come to this country where freedom, success, and happiness were possible through honesty and hard work. Arriving back in Los Angeles with his bride, the decision was made to start making a few items to use on their shine stands. Soon, other bootblacks started wondering what the Angelos boys were using on their shine stands and started asking where they could buy some. The demand for Angelus products started to grow until the poor kitchen stove could not keep up with demand. A small shop was then opened on Winston Street. The brothers, cousins, and brother-in-laws, all split time between their shine stands and their new manufacturing plant. It was not long before the plant demanded full time attention. The decision was made to sell the shine stands and devote all their energies into making shoe polish. Some of the family worked in the plant while others took to the road where they covered the country with their sample cases. When necessary, they rolled up their shirt sleeves and worked in the repair shops or shined shoes to demonstrate the quality of the Angelus products. In 1917, the Angelus trademark was registered. In 1924, a new five-story plant was built on Maple Avenue in Los Angeles. In the early 1930’s, Paul’s son George joined the family business on a full time basis. Demand continued to grown for the Angelus products throughout the 1930’s and 1940’s. At the end of World War II in 1947, with most of the principles of the business reaching well into retirement age, a decision was made to sell the business. The Angelos “boys” retained the building so the new owner of Angelus, moved to the former Santa Cola bottling plant in Culver City California. Many changes were made to Angelus, sadly none for the good. The new owners felt that more money should be made and why use the expensive ingredients in the shoe polish. As a result, a good business with a reputation for unmatched quality and service was brought down to almost nothing. In 1953, Paul and his son George bought back Angelus Shoe Polish. They went to what they knew best… honesty, quality, and hard work. Any merchandise that was defective was taken back and refunds or new product delivered. Sid Solomon, their salesman would question Paul, “You
