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At the age of seven Mike Garcia, the youngest of the Olvera Street shoeshine boys proudly built his own shoe shine box. It was 1930, and he was officially named shoe shine boy # 10 by Mrs. Christine Sterling, the founder of Mexican Market Place. Now he would be able to shine shoes for 5 cents on Olvera Street.

At the age of seven Mike Garcia, the youngest of the Olvera Street shoeshine boys proudly built his own shoe shine box. It was 1930, and he was officially named shoe shine boy # 10 by Mrs. Christine Sterling, the founder of Mexican Market Place. Now he would be able to shine shoes for 5 cents on Olvera Street.

Mike along with Cruz Ladesma worked repairing and maintaining the shops on Olvera Street. Many of the original planters and puestos bear the mark of their handiwork. From his shop, Mike continues to preserve and share the traditions and culture of Mexico with his wife Norma and daughter Valerie while actively safeguarding the history and traditions of Olvera Street, the birthplace of Los Angeles.