Young Cuban Entrepreneurs Launch Sneaker Cleaning Service in Havana

In the vibrant neighborhood of El Vedado, at the crossroads of Calzada and E, a group of enterprising young Cubans has launched an innovative business that is creating quite a buzz in Havana. Their venture, Happy Sneaker, is a "Shoe Laundry" with a straightforward yet impactful concept: meticulously cleaning and restoring sneakers, leaving customers pleasantly surprised by the results.

Sneakers, often referred to by this name in Cuba when discussing branded footwear like Nike, have become a staple of urban fashion. These shoes are designed for daily wear, blending sports and classic styles. The Cuban entrepreneurs behind Happy Sneaker promise to bring back the original color of each pair, with some services commanding higher prices due to the painstaking attention to detail involved.

Operating under the Instagram handle @happy_sneaker.cu, these sneaker-cleaning specialists receive constant praise for their work. One user enthusiastically commented, “This is the business I needed, amen.” Another added, “No one likes washing sneakers, I’d gladly pay for this.” Comments like “Super original, I haven’t seen anything like this in Cuba before” and “This service was long overdue” highlight the positive reception. There was even a humorous remark: “Mom, I'm starting a business: I'm going to wash sneakers.”

The venture’s success has sparked suggestions for expansion, with one follower jokingly advising, “If you come to the United States, you'll become millionaires.”