Morris Auto Parts, a cornerstone of the Kensington neighborhood, proudly marks its 100th anniversary this year, a testament to the enduring spirit of the American Dream. For Harris Steinberg, the 55-year-old owner, the business’s century-long journey is more than just selling car parts; it’s a family saga deeply intertwined with the evolution of Philadelphia and the automotive industry itself.
“My grandparents, Harris and Hannah Steinberg, sought a brighter future for their family when they emigrated from Poland in the late 1800s,” Harris recounts. “They established themselves right here on Kensington Avenue, in one of these very buildings.” Their initial venture, H. Steinberg, was a wholesale retail tobacco shop, laying the foundation for future generations of Steinbergs in Kensington.
Decades later, in 1922, their eldest son, Morris, returned from service in World War I. Morris, with entrepreneurial vision, acquired properties adjacent to his parents’ then-closed tobacco shop and launched Morris Auto Parts. In its nascent years, the business catered to a dual market, supplying both emerging automobile parts and the remnants of a bygone era – horse buggy components.
The family faced hardship with the passing of Harris Steinberg Sr. around the time Morris Auto Parts opened, leaving Hannah to raise their five children. Eugene, Morris’s younger brother, became particularly close to Morris. Morris not only mentored Eugene in the intricacies of the automotive supply business but also financed his college education. The 1929 stock market crash dramatically altered Eugene’s path; he left Temple Law School to dedicate himself fully to the family business.
Eugene’s life continued to evolve. He married Ruth before serving in the Navy during World War II, and upon his return, he resumed his work at Morris Auto Parts under Morris’s guidance. The early 1950s brought further sorrow as both Ruth and Morris passed away. Eugene then assumed ownership of Morris Auto Parts, carrying the family legacy forward. He later found love again, marrying Mary Ellen Ellis.
Kensington Roots and Growth of Automotive Supply
Throughout the late 1950s and 1960s, Eugene spearheaded significant expansion at Morris Auto Parts. He broadened the machine shop’s capabilities, inaugurated an auto repair service, and strategically invested in real estate along Kensington Avenue. His growing family of seven children served as a powerful impetus for his business ambitions.
Harris Steinberg, one of Eugene’s children, fondly remembers his childhood immersed in the world of Morris Automotive Supply Car Parts. “No matter the chaos my siblings and I created in the shop, Dad never lost his temper,” Harris recalls. “He was always genuinely happy to have us around.”
Eugene envisioned a future generation taking the helm of Morris Auto Parts. He meticulously trained each of his children, assigning them tasks from stocking shelves to handling customer inquiries, instilling in them the fundamentals of the automotive supply industry.
“Dad’s unwavering encouragement and confidence in our abilities were impactful,” Harris reflects. “He instilled pride in our work and fostered our self-assurance.”
Harris and his siblings were also deeply connected to the broader Kensington Avenue community, experiencing the vibrant mix of shops and businesses that characterized the neighborhood.
However, the landscape of Kensington began to shift dramatically. Harris witnessed firsthand the accelerating decline of manufacturing in the area during the 1960s and 1970s. This industrial downturn directly impacted commerce along Kensington Avenue. As jobs continued to leave the neighborhood in the 1980s and 1990s, Harris observed increasing vacancies and the rise of the drug trade.
“Kensington in my youth was filled with small, family-run businesses – no derelict buildings, no litter,” he reminisces. “It was a thriving retail hub, offering everything one could need within a compact area. A blend of established businesses passed down through generations and new immigrant ventures created a vibrant commercial ecosystem.”
Inheriting the Morris Automotive Supply Legacy
When it was time for college, Harris chose to study finance at Albright College. Its location, about 90 minutes from Kensington, allowed him to commute and remain actively involved in assisting his father with the modernization and management of Morris Automotive Supply Car Parts.
Tragedy struck on April 1, 1988, when Eugene passed away during Harris’s junior year. The loss deeply affected the family. Harris’s mother, with the support of loyal employees and customers, ensured the business continued operations. In April 1994, she entrusted the ownership to Harris and his brother, Gene.
“My initial focus was on the operational aspects of the business, rather than the financial intricacies,” Harris explains. “My finance degree provided a valuable foundation, but there was still a steep learning curve.”
A year later, Gene decided to pursue other paths, leaving Harris in sole control of Morris Auto Parts.
The mid-1990s marked significant personal milestones for Harris; he married and welcomed two children, Jacob and Jessica. Just as his father had been, Harris was motivated by his growing family to further propel the business forward. He expanded Morris Automotive Supply Car Parts by adding an automotive paint and body supply department and co-founded POJA, a marketing and purchasing alliance with other independent auto parts stores in the Tri-State area.
Morris Auto Parts Today: A Testament to Reliability and Community
Harris attributes the enduring success of Morris Auto Parts to its unwavering reliability. The store prides itself on its ability to source and supply virtually any car part a customer needs, typically within 24 hours. This commitment to prompt service is a key differentiator in the competitive automotive supply market.
“Our motto, ‘Morris has it!’ is more than just a slogan,” Harris states. “It reflects our dedication to having the right parts available. And our commitment to service extends to our hours – we are open 364 days a year, only closing on Christmas Day.”
Morris Automotive Supply Car Parts has consistently adapted to evolving market demands. Recognizing the shift towards online commerce, they now offer customers the convenience of ordering auto parts online, enhancing efficiency and reducing labor costs.
“We cultivate a customer-centric culture, emphasizing follow-up and follow-through,” Harris explains. “In contrast to large chain stores, we prioritize personalized service and possess the expertise to assist customers in finding even the most obscure parts.”
Crucially, Harris emphasizes the strong connection between Morris Automotive Supply Car Parts’ employees and the local community. Sales associate Antonio Lanzo, a four-year veteran of the store, affirms this commitment: “We consistently fulfill customer needs, ensuring they find what they are looking for.”
The staff’s local roots further strengthen this bond. “Our employees are our neighbors, living in the vicinity of the store,” Harris notes. “We actively engage with the community by offering internships to students from local technical schools and co-op programs, many of whom we hire part-time and sometimes retain as full-time employees after graduation. Even those who move on often remain loyal customers.”
A Lifelong Dedication to Kensington and Automotive Supply
Following in his father’s footsteps, Harris introduced his children to the business, hoping to pass on the Morris Automotive Supply Car Parts legacy. However, both Jacob and Jessica pursued higher education and different career paths. Harris expresses pride in their choices and achievements, even though neither intends to take over the family business.
For now, Harris remains passionate about his work and envisions continuing his commitment to Morris Auto Parts for the foreseeable future.
“There’s a deep sentimental connection to this place, my family’s homestead for over 130 years,” he reflects. “And it’s incredibly rewarding when customers express their reliance on Morris for their automotive needs.”
Kensington faces significant challenges, particularly the opioid epidemic, which has been exacerbated by the isolation and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Harris acknowledges that Kensington Avenue is in a more difficult state than he has ever witnessed. Despite these hardships, his commitment to Morris Automotive Supply Car Parts and the community remains unwavering.
“Many hardworking, good people live and work in this area and depend on us being here,” he emphasizes.
Looking ahead, Harris adopts a pragmatic, year-by-year approach to the future of Morris Auto Parts.
“Reaching our 100th anniversary was not an easy feat,” he concludes. “Simply surviving five years in business is a significant accomplishment, let alone a century.”
