'End of an era': Dittrich Furs celebrates last day of after 133 years

On Saturday, April 25, Dittrich Furs opened its doors for the last time, ending a 133-year run that saw it become synonymous with luxury in metro Detroit and beyond.

Customers made their final purchases as current and former employees gathered to say their goodbyes at Detroit’s longest-operating family-owned business.

In the time since 1893, Dittrich became a world renowned one-stop shop for fur fashion, making, cleaning and selling customized coats, hats and more.

Co-owner Jason Dittrich and his brother are the fifth generation to own the family business, Jason Dittrich told the Free Press. One of his favorite slogans the store had over the years was “generations serving generations.”

“It’s truly been an honor to serve the community and get and receive the community support that we did not just now during retirement but over the last 133 years,” Dittrich said. “Obviously, we wouldn’t be here without them (community members.). We’re eternally grateful.”

In February, the Dittrich family announced it “made the decision to retire and focus on the health and well-being of our family.”

Since then, customers like Danny Dzialo, also known as DannyD, have taken advantage of the retirement sale. Dzialo said Saturday morning he’s been to the store six times in the last month, buying everything from 20 mink-fur teddy bears at $15 a piece to highly discounted fur coats for $50 each. He said over the years he’s bought coats, a throw rug and more from Dittrich.

“Dittrich’s is a legend,” Dzialo said. “It’s like Faygo pop. It’s like Wonder Bread. Really, it’s a shame to see them go.”

Tami Frankmann, 44, of Redford, came with her husband and sister Saturday morning to see the store before its doors closed. Frankmann left the store with a mink hat, a handful of mink teddy bears and a huge smile on her face.

“We just wanted to celebrate the end of an era,” Frankmann said. “It’s been here forever. When they announced the closure, I think a few of my friends and my sister and I just decided that it’s something that’s been a stronghold for the city of Detroit and for the community. And, yes, change is inevitable in society. However, you have to celebrate these things that really built up to where we are today.”

Dittrich Furrs Vice President Yvette Temple worked at the store for 34 years. Temple remembers that, when she was a kid, her mom would point out the store as they drove and say, “I am going to go in there and get me a fur.” Years later, Temple got a job there, and her mom got her fur just weeks before Temple started her job.

“I just thought this place would be here forever,” she said. “I thought my grandkids were going to be able to shop here. And now my grandkids don’t have nowhere to shop.”

Brian Martel, 70, said he grew up in the store becuase his mom, who died 16 years ago, worked there. When asked how the place has changed over the years, he said, “it really hasn’t.” Most of the same people he’s known for years are still involved with the store, he said.

“It’s still the same family atmosphere every time you walk in the door,” he said. “It’s just tremendous.”

Temple also said the store community feels like a family.

“I’m going to miss this place and all of the employees,” she said. “I’ll ride down this way every now and then and take a look at the building but, yeah, this is like my family. We’ve been through a lot together. This is sad, but I understand life happens.”

Manager Clarence Albert has worked at the store for 27 years and is ready for retirement. He said the job has been rewarding.

“I’ve really, really had an opportunity to interact with some really, really nice people,” Albert said. “I think this area itself doesn’t really get enough credit for the camaraderie that’s shared amongst the people here.”

Albert said he’s enjoyed building relationships with generations of customers locally and around the U.S.

“Dittrich has really been in the forefront of fashion,” Albert said. “It really dressed up the city (and) southeast Michigan. Dittrich is world renowned.”

Dittich said his advice to businesses on having generational success is “be honest and just give a fair service for the value. It doesn’t matter what you’re selling,”

“In the fashion industry, things change every single year and it’s seeing the new innovations that come out every year in fashion outerwear is probably the most exciting part,” he said. “Things get recycled, different features get recycles, characteristics of the garments they come in go. Some things come in style, go out of style and eventually they come back in. It’s never exactly the same as it was in the past. It’s ever evolving.”

Contact Natalie Davies at ndavies@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: ‘End of an era’: Dittrich Furs celebrates last day of after 133 years

Reporting by Natalie Davies, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press

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