The Team at Morrissey’s

The team at Morrissey’s has always been the glue that has held the business together, and the store has seen a few come and go and come back again, but in the main, long-term stays have been the norm with those on the payroll. These long-termers, along with many summer varsity kids, have always offered great old-fashioned service, making regular customers part of the family. Morrissey’s is onto the 4th generation of families loyal to the business and still goes out of their way to offer support and make Morrissey’s the first port of call for anything clothing, footwear and accessories.

The present team of Larry, Evan, and Lisa have accumulated over 80 years of experience in the rag trade, which is amazing, considering how young and great-looking they all are! Larry, the boss/ owner/ window washer, has been in the four walls at Morrissey’s for 43 years. He is not sure if this is a good thing or just a failure to move on, he is still learning he reckons and once he knows it all he look for something else. Larry along with wife Julie are the owners of the business but only on paper Larry reckons, he says he shares all the day to day running with his team and as a team they make things work.

Larry was born and bred in Tokoroa and started at Morrissey’s as a 17-year-old with the then-owner Brian Morrissey (hence Morrissey’s). Brian was a local sporting legend having represented NZ at Basket Ball and as an All Black touring France in the early 80’s, he was a member of the famous Waikato team that lifted the Ranfurly Shield form Auckland and then defended it many times. Larry and Brian went into a long-term partnership in the business, which turned into a great friendship. Brian was an excellent businessman who guided Larry with great guidance. Even after 40-odd years, Larry is still hands-on and loves the work and dealing with everyone who enters the store.

Evan, also Tok, born and bred, has been at Morrissey’s for over 20 years and in the game for 26 or so years. He is well-versed in the skate community of NZ, and his passion for the game shines through in the outstanding range of skate hardware, footwear and apparel he sources for the store. Handsome, cute, and with eyes of different colours, he also has hair, so you can’t confuse him with the boss, Larry, but EvDawg will go out of his way to look after whatever you require.

Lisa, whilst from Mangakino just down the road from Tok, is also local and, along with the boys, can recognise any whanau connection the customers have in the town. 10 years behind the counter at Morrissey’s is not where she thought she would be after being randomly offered a job by Larry in the store as she came in as a customer. Lisa steers the ship with amazing inventory control and keeps the other 2 in line. Lisa is the aunty every young man needs when he can’t decide what to wear to an upcoming gig or equally offering the best advice to the ladies on what is required to make them look amazing.

The team of three goes to work each day, but it feels like they are spending the day with some mates. Plenty of laughs echo over the counter.