Boleros are part of Mexican folklore. Even today they can be found in some streets, either in semi-permanent stalls or walking in search of a pair of shoes that need polishing. One of the basic elements of these workers is a wooden box, in which they keep their tools such as the inevitable shoe polish.
In Mexico, a brand recognized for marketing this product is El Oso , whose history dates back to 1918.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Prisciliano Pérez Buenrostro, originally from Jalpan, Querétaro, arrived in Mexico City, but he would not immediately found El Oso; He began working as a photographer at the Chapultepec Zoo, where he witnessed the arrival of the first polar bear in the park, a detail that would later be reflected in the name and image of the brand.
Later he worked in the hardware industry, as a warehouse assistant, where he forged his skills as a merchant.
At that time, the production of fat or bitumen was done by first heating it in saucepans with firewood. Prisciliano had the concern to offer a better product and develop his own formula.
In 1918, he founded his factory -formally constituted on January 6, 1922- in Mexico City. Since then, El Oso has been dedicated to the manufacture of shoe care products.
“The name of our company refers to the period in which the images and remains of post-revolutionary Mexico were intertwined with the emotion and surprise with which people observe that polar bear,” the company says on its official website.
From wax to everything for shoe care
Over the years, El Oso introduced new products to its catalog, now in addition to the classic shine wax they have shoe deodorant, tennis cleaning gel, polishing sponges, shoe dilator, among others.
They have representatives throughout the country. Internationally, they export products to Cuba, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, the United States, France, Norway and Japan.
And although there is innovation, they continue to distribute other classics, through their website it is possible to acquire bolero drawers, for those who want to dedicate themselves to this trade, learn from it or simply have this piece for use at home.
