Written by Tanya Terry
Hudie and Delores Langston went into business after Hudie Langston retired from General Motors after 31 years. Langston had previously drove a fork lift truck at General Motors. Their son Steven owns the Subway on Miller Road, by Ballenger Highway, and had the grand opening on Saturday, September 3.
Langston explained why he and his wife opened Dawn Donut and Steve’s Soups & Subs, which are both located in the same building, on Clio Road, on the north side of Flint.
“We were trying to create multiple streams of income,” he said. “Steven had talked to the guy up here. He wanted out. So, we took over for him. He wanted to open up other businesses.”
Langston also told the Courier he wanted to name the soups and subs business after his wife. But his son, Steve, decided to name it after himself.
“He’s passionate about it,” Langston said of his son.
Langston stated he had no formal education in business before opening the businesses. His wife has a Ph.D. in psychology and also teaches at two colleges to help others earn Ph.D.s.
“What inspires me is being able to give back to the community and being able to have jobs for young people to have an income,” Langston stated. “We’re here for the community, too. We have a lot of young people that work for us. It has it’s ups and downs. We don’t sometimes know who’s going to work and who’s not going to work. We’ve had a lot of things happen. But we just keep on going.”
Langston said there are currently about 15 part time employees working at the Dawn Donut Steve’s Soups & Subs establishment, with varying ages.
Langston told the Courier he had a catering business prior to he and his wife opening Dawn Donut and Steve’s Soups & Subs. That business is called Hudiecue, and he continues to sell barbecue through it when someone asks for it.
“I’ve been barbecuing for years. I’m 68 years old. I’ve been barbecuing since I was a young boy.”
Langston explained they make their subs like they do in Philadelphia at Steve’s Soups & Subs.
“If you ever go to Philadelphia, they use the cream cheese that melts.”
Langston stated the key to a business being successful is knowing what your neighborhood wants. He doesn’t believe in arguing with customer, but instead believes in trying to be friendly to all his customers.
“Our clientele is really mixed. I have people come from Grand Blanc…I have Black folks, white folks, Mexican folks. They all come because they love our donuts!”
Langston shared he finally has a staff that is allowing him to relax more. He had one employee who tried stealing from him until he was let go. But, according to Langston, all his staff members get along well now and the morale is high.
