7221 Theodore Street
Theodore Electric Company, Theodore Auto Electric Company, Theodore Custom Auto Repair
Because there’s such a significant gap in the available Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, I can’t be certain of the origins of this structure. Because they were constructed differently, I assume they were built at different times. That said, they appear to be included in the same address: 7221 Theodore Street. The structure on the left is brick, and the one on the right is concrete block with brick facing. Perhaps it was due to code requirements of the era; however, regardless of the purpose, both structures will be demolished soon.
In 1938, the Theodore Electric Company occupied the space. The business was an authorized Auto-Lite Spark Plug dealer. Auto-Lite still makes spark plugs, though I can’t verify that it’s the same company.
By 1951, the shop was still divided into two sections: the left was the auto electric shop, and the right was for auto repair. In 1954, it was still Theodore Electric, and an ad in the paper indicated that they did carburetor, ignition, and tuneup work.
In 1969, Charles Hanula retired from the company. He owned it for an extended period, though I can’t be certain exactly when that was. He passed on July 7, 1974. His obituary mentioned his ownership of the company.
In 1977, Keith Cameron of Redford incorporated the Theodore Auto Electric Company at the address. On the same date, he filed an assumed name, the Theodore Electric Company, for the business. In 1985, the registered agent was changed to Susan Robinson, who held the title until 1992, when the corporation was dissolved.
In 1998, the structure was for sale by the City of Detroit Commercial. Interested buyers could inspect the property on February 22 from 11 until 11:15. The minimum bid was $2,500.
For ages, the structure still had the words “Theodore Custom Auto Repair” painted across the top. Online records show that the property sold in 2013 for $1,500, which, incidentally, appears to be around the time the operation ceased to be open and the structure began to deteriorate.
Today, the structure’s roof has started to fail, and a connection at a Detroit-based demolition company said that the building will soon be demolished. Though this one isn’t anything special, it’s always a bummer to see a structure of this age fall. Soon, it’ll be another vacant lot in a sea of greenery that surrounds the Cathedral of St. Anthony.
