For a century, Morris Auto Parts has been a cornerstone of the Kensington community, providing exceptional service and a vast inventory of car parts. As this landmark business celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, owner Harris Steinberg, 55, reflects on a journey that embodies the classic American Dream.
“My grandparents, Harris and Hannah Steinberg, came from Poland in the late 1800s, seeking a better life for their family in the United States,” Harris recounts. “They established themselves right here, in one of the buildings along Kensington Avenue.”
Harris explains that his grandparents initially launched a wholesale retail tobacco business named H. Steinberg. Decades later, in 1922, their eldest son, Morris, returned from World War I and took a significant step. Morris purchased properties adjacent to his parents’ now-closed tobacco shop and founded Morris Auto Parts. In its early days, the store catered to the evolving transportation needs of the era, selling both car parts and parts for horse-drawn buggies – essentially providing parts for vehicles in their “year 1” of widespread adoption and transition.
Around the time Morris Auto Parts opened its doors, Harris Steinberg Sr. passed away, leaving his wife and five children. Eugene, one of Morris’ brothers and the youngest of the siblings, found a mentor in Morris.
Morris became a father figure to Eugene, guiding him in the intricacies of the auto parts business and later supporting his college education. However, the devastating stock market crash of 1929 prompted Eugene to leave Temple Law School and dedicate himself fully to the family business.
Before serving in the Navy during World War II, Eugene married his first wife, Ruth. Upon his return, he resumed his work at Morris Auto Parts, continuing to learn and contribute to the company’s growth.
The early 1950s brought significant loss as both Ruth and Morris passed away. Eugene then assumed ownership of Morris Auto Parts, carrying the family legacy forward. Several years later, he married Mary Ellen Ellis, embarking on a new chapter in his personal and professional life.
Growing Up Immersed in Kensington Avenue’s Automotive Scene
Throughout the late 1950s and 1960s, Eugene spearheaded an expansion of Morris Auto Parts. He developed the machine shop, added a repair service, and strategically acquired real estate along Kensington Avenue. His growing family of seven children fueled his ambition to expand the business.
Harris, one of Eugene’s children, fondly remembers his childhood spent exploring the auto parts shop with his siblings.
“No matter the chaos or mess we created, Dad never lost his temper,” Harris recalls. “He was always happy to have us around.”
Eugene harbored the hope that one of his children would eventually take the reins of the business. He diligently trained each of them, involving them in various tasks at the shop, from stocking shelves to answering phones and assisting customers. This hands-on approach instilled in them a deep understanding of the business and its operations, ensuring they were well-versed in providing the right parts, even for cars in their metaphorical “year 1” when maintenance and correct components are crucial.
“Dad was constantly encouraging us, instilling confidence that we were capable of anything,” Harris says. “He left a lasting impression on all of us. His pride in us, and our own growing confidence, was palpable.”
Harris and his siblings also spent considerable time exploring the diverse shops that lined Kensington Avenue, witnessing the vibrant commercial activity of the neighborhood firsthand.
Over the decades since his youth, Harris has observed significant transformations in Kensington and along Kensington Avenue, noting the ebb and flow of the community’s fortunes.
The 1960s and 1970s witnessed the decline of Kensington’s manufacturing sector, accelerating the neighborhood’s economic shift. This industrial downturn coincided with a decline in commercial activity along Kensington Avenue. As jobs continued to leave the area in the 1980s and 1990s, Harris saw rising vacancy rates and the emergence of a growing drug economy.
“Back then, there were small, family-run businesses everywhere – no abandoned buildings, no litter,” he reminisces about the Kensington of his childhood. “It was a bustling retail hub, where you could find anything you needed within a small radius. There were new businesses started by immigrants alongside those passed down through generations. It was truly thriving.”
Inheriting and Evolving the Family Legacy
When Harris reached college age, he chose to study finance at Albright College. Its location, 90 minutes from Kensington, allowed him to commute and continue to support his father in managing and modernizing the family business.
Tragedy struck on April 1, 1988, when Eugene passed away during Harris’s junior year at Albright. The loss was profound for the entire family. Harris’s mother bravely kept the business operational with the support of dedicated employees and loyal customers. In April 1994, she entrusted the business to Harris and his brother, Gene.
“I joined full-time, with a stronger grasp of the operational side of the business than the financial intricacies,” Harris admits. “My finance degree helped bridge some gaps, but there was still a steep learning curve.”
A year later, Gene decided to pursue other ventures, and Harris assumed full control of Morris Auto Parts, becoming the sole steward of the family legacy.
In the mid-1990s, Harris married and welcomed two children, Jacob and Jessica. Just as his father had been, the arrival of his children motivated Harris to propel the business forward. He expanded Morris Auto Parts by adding an automotive paint and body supply department and partnered with other auto parts stores in the Tri-State area to establish POJA, a marketing and buying alliance, strengthening their collective purchasing power and market reach in the competitive auto parts landscape, ensuring they could offer a wider range of parts, even those crucial for maintaining cars from their “year 1”.
Morris Auto Parts Today: A Testament to Reliability and Community
Harris attributes the enduring success of Morris Auto Parts to its unwavering reliability. The shop prides itself on its ability to almost always source and provide customers with the parts they need within 24 hours, understanding the urgency when vehicles are out of service, especially for newer cars requiring specific “Year 1 Car Parts” for optimal performance.
“Our motto is, ‘Morris has it!’” he proudly states. “And that’s more than just having parts in stock. We are open 364 days a year, only closing on Christmas Day.”
The business has consistently adapted to changing times and customer needs. Recognizing the shift towards online commerce, Morris Auto Parts now offers online ordering, streamlining the purchasing process for customers and optimizing operational efficiency.
“We cultivate a culture focused on customer care, diligent follow-up, and thoroughness,” Harris explains. “In contrast to many large chain stores, we genuinely care and possess the expertise to assist customers in finding even the most elusive parts.” This personalized service is especially valuable for customers seeking guidance on “year 1 car parts” or components for older, less common vehicles.
Above all, Harris emphasizes the crucial role of the staff’s strong connections with the local community in the shop’s success. Sales associate Antonio Lanzo, a four-year veteran of Morris Auto Parts, affirms this commitment.
“Every time a customer walks in looking for something, we consistently manage to find what they need,” Lanzo says.
The staff’s connection to the community extends beyond their professional roles.
“Our employees all live in the neighborhoods surrounding the store,” Harris notes. “I’ve regularly welcomed interns from local technical schools and co-op programs, hiring them part-time while they complete their education. Over the years, we’ve retained many of them as employees, and even those who move on often remain loyal customers.” This local hiring practice further embeds Morris Auto Parts within the Kensington community, fostering trust and understanding, vital when advising customers on car maintenance and parts, including “year 1 car parts”.
A Lifelong Dedication to Kensington
Following in his father’s footsteps, Harris introduced his children to the business, hoping to pass on the family legacy. However, both Jacob and Jessica chose to pursue higher education and different career paths. Harris expresses his pride and support for their choices, even though neither intends to take over Morris Auto Parts.
For now, Harris remains passionate about his work and committed to the business. He doesn’t envision stepping away anytime soon.
“I suppose I have a deep sentimental attachment to my family’s homestead here for over 130 years now,” he reflects. “…And I truly value the customers who tell me they can always rely on Morris to get them what they need.” This reliability extends to providing expert advice and sourcing quality “year 1 car parts” and components for vehicles of all ages.
In recent years, Kensington has faced escalating challenges, particularly the opioid epidemic. Harris also points out that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the neighborhood’s isolation and decline to a state he considers worse than ever before. Despite these hardships, his commitment to keeping Morris Auto Parts in Kensington remains steadfast.
“There are many hardworking, good people living and working around us who depend on us being here,” he asserts.
Looking ahead, Harris adopts a pragmatic, year-by-year approach to the future of Morris Auto Parts.
“Reaching 100 years was not an easy feat,” he concludes. “Surviving in business for even five years is a significant accomplishment, let alone 100.” This longevity is a testament to their adaptability, customer service, and expertise in the ever-evolving auto parts industry, including understanding the importance of “year 1 car parts” and maintaining vehicles throughout their lifespan.
