'An institution:' Morrison’s Restaurant in Kingston. Ont. turns 100 years old
An iconic Kingston restaurant is hitting a big milestone, as Morrison’s restaurant turns 100 years old this year.
To anyone else in any other city, the diner at 318 King St. may look like any other.
But in Kingston, it’s something else.
“When I bought it they told me ‘You didn’t buy just a restaurant, you bought an institution,” says owner Michael Argiris.
Opened originally the Morrison family in 1921, Arigiris, 69, has owned the restaurant for 31 years.
“A guy from Scotland, he opened this up... I’m the third owner. The guys I bought it from sold it to me because they said I’m a hard worker,” he says.
“This place has got a lot of history. A cup of coffee in the ‘90s was 15 cents, and the breakfast? One egg was 50 cents, with toast.”
Known for its late-night breakfasts before the pandemic, it’s a draw for the university crowd and for shift workers.
Customers say it continues to be a special spot to then.
“It’s an attraction,” says longtime customer Tom Mentrak. “People will come here because they know the food is good.”
Howard Stone agrees.
“They’re very friendly people, the food is always well prepared.”
Morrison's Restaurant on King Street in Kingston turns 100 this year. (Kimberley Johnson/CTV News Ottawa)Argiris says it’s also been a magnet for local celebrities over the years.
“Movie stars - Dan Aykroyd was here,” he says. “The Tragically Hip boys were here in the 80’s and the 90’s just about every second day.”
Argiris’s son Chris Argiris, 41, has spent his life growing up here, and that meant watching his dad work hard.
“He came here when he was 18 years old and he had nothing. For him to do what he did and have what he has right now...the work ethic he promotes is very contagious.”
The family has kept the interior vintage feel intact, only renovating the restaurant once in the late 1990s.
The Morrison’s famous signage is the same one put up sometime in the 1960s, says Arigiris.
Keeping it the same over time is something Chris says was important to them.
“No computers, we do all the ordering, bills,” he said. “Just giving it that old school feel. That’s what makes the restaurant what it is.”
Michael Argiris says he plans to retire in the next few years, and will pass the restaurant onto his son one day.
But making it another hundred years? That’s a simple recipe to Michael.
“Lotta hard work.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.