At some point during Ronda Morrison’s Thanksgiving dinner, after some juicy dishes prepared by family members have been eaten— including turkey, salmon, shrimp legs, greens, dressing, salads, grilled corn and more — the spotlight will move to a dessert Morrison purchased.
Not only will that sweet, juicy, traditional cake reflect her mother’s Louisiana roots, but it also represents Morrison’s insatiable need to build and help family members in ways that extend beyond her blood relatives.
” I ordered a fruit cobbler from someone from the group who came around to the shop the first time a couple of months ago selling grilled goods”, said the 61- year- ancient Morrison, who operates her family’s business — House of Morrison Shoe Repair, 18933 Livernois, on Detroit’s Traditional Avenue of Fashion. ” She comes by then every Saturday and I want to visit that young lady because her cakes are great and if she keeps at it, she will probably end up with a shop”.
Morrison knows a thing or two about patience. House of Morrison Shoe Repair was established in 1954 by her late parents, Theodore, and Morrison has worked at the company almost her entire adult life, beginning in 1983. But perhaps long before then, Morrison can recognize an “amazing time” of her life while attending school for a third day at the old McKerrow Elementary, 4800 Collingwood, where she was constantly picked up at lunchtime by her father, who would take Morrison to an earlier location of the family’s business on Joy Road, just south of Grand River. Once there, the upcoming shoe repair specialist would wait for breakfast to be served while she listened to the music music her father played and took stock of how the business operated.
On the day of Nov. 14, describing her earliest relation to the home company brought a broad grin to Morrison’s experience. The smile frequently was accompanied by hearty laugh during Morrison’s story. However, the satisfaction that Morrison chose to talk about even more centered around her gratitude to be surrounded by brother business companions that communicate a vision that House of Morrison has helped to shape on the Avenue of Fashion for more than 50 years.
” In this business hall, we share a vision of being successful and what we have figured out is that the best way for us all to become successful is to operate together”, said Morrison, who wants to make it known that her wall, between Clarita and 7 Mile Road — house to businesses that offer an array of services including hair care, skin care, boot care, optical care, clothing, art, pet supplies and an increasing variety of foods due to the recent presence of food trucks— is not just a part of the Avenue of Fashion, but a lively part.
And just as the famous grilled corn prepared by Morrison for the family Thanksgiving feast contains a unique ingredient — baking soda, to make it” swell away and thicken up” Louisiana style— Morrison even is known for a special go- to move that she has shared with any business owner on her block who is facing challenging circumstances.
” Where there is confusion, I always try to find a solution. And maybe all you have to do is simply give a great old hug”, explained Morrison, who pointed to stages during the epidemic and even before then, along with the lifelong design project on Livernois for the installation of a new streetscape, as times when her hugs were particularly needed. ” That is what’s needed maybe — just shut out all of that conflict and confusion and send it to a hug. I do that because I was hugged all of my existence growing up”.
One man who has witnessed Morrison’s smiles up close is Sevyn Jones, user of Skin Bar VII at 18951 Livernois.
” Her ( Morrison’s ) hugs are infectious”, says the 43- year- old Jones, who received a gift from Morrison on the morning of Nov. 18 to celebrate the fourth anniversary of Jones ‘ business on the Avenue of Fashion. ” And if there is a concern, after that hug goes down, the problem is solved because the hug came from the Queen Mother”.
Jones claims Morrison gives her never-ending motivation to complete her goal, according to the Free Press, who revealed in June 2022 that she was on a quest to “activate” her firm wall.
The Queen Mother has shown a long-term drive and spirit, as well as the fact that hard work is required and that there are no shortcuts, according to Jones, who just received the” Corridor Hero” award from the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation and Detroit Means Business, which she says will be used for an upcoming window decorating competition to spread more holiday cheer across the Avenue of Fashion.” I feel that many people use the word “mentioneer” loosely,” Jones said.
Jones remarked,” You will survive the test of time as long as you do things the right way and walk on your fact.” And Dixon’s ( Barbershop, 18937 Livernois ) and the Queen Mother have proven that. I constantly assure the neighboring businesses that we will take care of them if we do anything and those two businesses are unable to participate. My elders will always be included and not forgotten because I was raised to respect them.
Theodore Morrison, who is undoubtedly a topic of conversation during the Thanksgiving dinner of the Morrisonian family, is another person who should not be overlooked by anyone who values the Avenue of Fashion’s past and what it stands for now.
We talk about dad every day, according to Claudia Helton, who worked alongside Ronda Morrison on November 18 and who, like all the other kids ( Theodora, Terrell, the late Toni, and Kimberly ), have worked at the company at some point in their lives. He instilled in us the idea that nothing is also good for a customer and that you should always treat them with the utmost respect. This idea has stuck with us throughout our varied lives.
We have shared what we have learned and keep all of our grandparents quite close to us, which has contributed to the Avenue of Fashion’s sense of community.
Native to Detroit, Scott Talley is a happy graduate of the city’s public schools and has always been fascinated by the various facets of Detroit society. He is thrilled and humbled to include the city’s neighborhoods and the many fascinating people who determine its diverse communities during his second trip with the Free Press, which he read as a child. Following him on Twitter at @STalleyfreep or get in touch with him at [email protected]. Visit www to read more of Scott’s reports. Freep.com/mosaic/detroit is a website. Please become a contributor to help us develop tremendous community-focused journalism.