For a century, Morris Auto Parts has stood as a beacon of reliability and community spirit in Kensington. Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, this family-owned business, helmed by Harris Steinberg, 55, embodies the classic American Dream, offering a wide array of Morris Car Parts and exceptional service.
“Our story began in the late 1800s when my grandparents, Harris and Hannah Steinberg, seeking a better future, emigrated from Poland and settled right here on Kensington Avenue,” Harris recounts. Their journey started with a wholesale retail tobacco shop named H. Steinberg. Decades later, in 1922, their eldest son, Morris, returned from World War I and laid the foundation for what would become a cornerstone of the community. Morris acquired properties adjacent to his parents’ tobacco shop, which was by then closed, and established Morris Auto Parts. In its nascent years, the store catered to a transitioning era, selling not only morris car parts but also parts for horse buggies, reflecting the changing modes of transportation.
The family patriarch, Harris Steinberg Sr., passed away around the time Morris Auto Parts opened, leaving Hannah and their five children. Eugene, Morris’s younger brother, and the youngest of the siblings, found a mentor in Morris. Morris not only guided Eugene in the burgeoning auto parts business but also supported his education, funding his college studies. However, the Great Depression in 1929 altered Eugene’s path. He left Temple Law School to dedicate himself fully to the family business, working alongside Morris to navigate the challenging economic climate.
Eugene’s life took further turns as he married Ruth before serving in the Navy during World War II. Upon his return, he resumed his role at Morris Auto Parts. The early 1950s brought significant loss with the passing of both Ruth and Morris. Eugene then stepped into ownership of Morris Auto Parts, carrying forward the family legacy. He later found love again and married Mary Ellen Ellis.
Growing Up Amidst Morris Car Parts on Kensington Avenue
Throughout the late 1950s and 60s, Eugene spearheaded the expansion of Morris Auto Parts. He broadened the machine shop’s capabilities, established a repair service, and invested in more real estate along Kensington Avenue. Driven by his seven children, Eugene was determined to propel the business forward, ensuring its growth and stability for future generations needing reliable morris car parts.
Harris, one of Eugene’s children, fondly remembers his childhood spent within the walls of Morris Auto Parts. “No matter the chaos we created, Dad was never angry,” Harris recalls. “He was always happy to have us around.” Eugene envisioned one of his children eventually taking the reins of the business. He meticulously trained each of them, involving them in various tasks from stocking shelves and answering phones to interacting directly with customers seeking morris car parts.
“Dad always encouraged us, instilling confidence that we were capable of anything,” Harris reflects. “He left a lasting impression on all of us. His pride in us fostered our self-assurance and capabilities.” Harris and his siblings were also deeply connected to the wider Kensington Avenue community, frequenting the diverse array of shops that lined the street.
However, the neighborhood and Kensington Avenue itself underwent significant transformations over the decades. Harris witnessed firsthand the decline of manufacturing in Kensington during the 60s and 70s. This industrial downturn led to a parallel deterioration of commerce along Kensington Avenue. As jobs continued to leave the area in the 80s and 90s, Harris observed increasing vacancies and the rise of the drug economy.
“In my youth, Kensington was filled with small, family-run businesses – no abandoned buildings, no litter,” he reminisces. “It was a vibrant retail hub. You could find anything you needed within a small radius.” Despite the evolving challenges, Morris Auto Parts remained a constant, providing essential morris car parts to the community.
Inheriting the Legacy of Morris Car Parts
When it was time for college, Harris chose to study finance at Albright College. Its location, 90 minutes from Kensington, allowed him to commute and continue supporting his father in managing and modernizing Morris Auto Parts. Tragedy struck on April 1, 1988, when Eugene passed away while Harris was in his junior year. The loss was profound, but Harris’s mother, with the support of dedicated employees and loyal customers, kept the business operational. In April 1994, she entrusted the business to Harris and his brother, Gene.
“I stepped in full-time, focusing on the operational aspects more so than the financial intricacies,” Harris explains. “My finance degree helped bridge some gaps, but there was still a steep learning curve.” A year later, Gene decided to pursue other paths, and Harris assumed full leadership of Morris Auto Parts, dedicated to ensuring its continued success in providing morris car parts.
In the mid-90s, Harris married and welcomed two children, Jacob and Jessica. Just as his father had been, Harris was motivated by his family to further develop the business. He introduced an automotive paint and body supply department and co-founded POJA (Parts Outlet Joint Alliance), a marketing and purchasing cooperative with other auto parts stores in the Tri-State area. These strategic moves expanded the offerings of Morris Auto Parts beyond just morris car parts, enhancing its market position.
Morris Auto Parts: A Modern Provider of Morris Car Parts
Today, Morris Auto Parts thrives on its reputation for reliability. Harris proudly states that they can almost always source any required part within 24 hours. “Our motto is, ‘Morris has it!’” he declares. “And that’s not just about inventory. We are open 364 days a year, only closing on Christmas Day.” This commitment to availability ensures that customers can consistently find the morris car parts they need, when they need them.
The business has continually evolved, embracing online ordering to enhance customer convenience and streamline operations. “We strive to create a culture of customer care, diligent follow-up, and thoroughness,” Harris emphasizes. “Unlike large chain stores, we genuinely care and possess the expertise to assist customers in finding even the most elusive morris car parts.”
Above all, Harris attributes the enduring success of Morris Auto Parts to the strong relationships between his staff and the local community. Antonio Lanzo, a sales associate with four years at the shop, affirms, “We consistently meet customer needs, always managing to find what they are looking for.” This dedication to customer satisfaction is a hallmark of their service in providing morris car parts.
The staff’s deep roots in the community further strengthen these connections. “Our employees all live in the neighborhoods surrounding the store,” Harris explains. “We regularly offer internships to students from local tech schools and co-op programs, often hiring them part-time while they complete their education. Many have become long-term employees and loyal customers.” This local focus reinforces Morris Auto Parts’ commitment to Kensington and its residents seeking morris car parts.
A Lifelong Commitment to Kensington and Quality Morris Car Parts
Following in his father’s footsteps, Harris introduced his children to the business, hoping they might one day take over. However, both Jacob and Jessica pursued higher education and different career paths. Harris, while supportive of their choices, remains deeply committed to Morris Auto Parts.
“I have a profound sentimental attachment to my family’s homestead here for over 130 years,” he shares. “…And it’s incredibly rewarding when customers express their trust in Morris to always provide what they need.” This trust is built on a century of providing reliable morris car parts and exceptional service.
In recent years, Kensington has faced increasing challenges, particularly with the opioid epidemic. Harris also notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has further isolated the community, leaving it in a more vulnerable state than he has ever witnessed. Despite these hardships, his dedication to keeping Morris Auto Parts in Kensington remains unwavering.
“Many hardworking, good people live and work around us, and they need us here,” he asserts. Looking to the future, Harris adopts a pragmatic approach, taking it “one year at a time.” “Reaching 100 years was not an easy journey,” he concludes. “Simply staying in business for five years is a significant achievement, let alone a century.” Morris Auto Parts stands as a testament to resilience, community commitment, and the enduring appeal of quality morris car parts and service.
