Negative balance sheet hits McLouth
Since the purchase of McLouth Steel by Cyrus Tang a few years before, the steelmaker had seen its fortunes rise (profit in its first year) and sink again, with a $250 million debt by 1987. The workforce, which numbered 3,775 in 1980, fell to 2,000 union and 400 non-union. Negotiations were taking place – talks which would last two years and result in an additional $85 million loss. With Tang having left the company, the new plan forward would directly involve the workers in an employee stock-ownership program. The new marquee at West Jefferson and King Roads would proudly read, “McLouth… An employee-owned company.”
Two fires consume local landmarks
June and October 1987 proved to be heartache for fans of both Mulias & Ellias Department Store, as well as Ciungan’s Shrimp House, as both storefronts were ruined by fire.
The Mulias & Ellias fire destroyed a true Trenton landmark, one that was on par with the Trenton Grand Hotel up West Jefferson. The store had started in the early 1900s by Sadie Mulias’ family, which located from the northern town of Bad Axe.
The blaze started on the evening of June 24, 1987 at two different points in the well-stocked basement. Tragically, the fire alarm system was not activated properly to where the fire could have been contained at this point. Alarms rang in neighboring Woodhaven and, according to former Fire Chief Russ Stahl, by the time the responsive trucks got there, the building was pretty well engulfed in flames. With the blaze growing to four alarms, there was a water pressure problem in the neighborhood, so the Detroit fireboat came downstream and acted as a fifth alarm, while quelling most of the raging fire from a distance.
The building – and almost the entire block – was a complete loss. To this day, the cause of the fire is not 100% assured. Most had said it was arson, though some thought it was electrical in nature. Regardless, downtown Trenton would find it very difficult to recover its lost business.
Ciungan’s was an Ecorse landmark in existence for 39 years at the foot of Southfield near 4th Street, known for their excellent shrimp. A kitchen fire was the cause of this blaze, which gutted the building. The owners would eventually decide not to rebuild in that location. However, one of the best-kept Downriver secrets is that the original Ciungan shrimp recipe is still made on Saturday’s at Lloyd’s of Grosse Ile.
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