Around the time Fox Sports sideline reporter Erin Andrews and the dramatic fur coat she was wearing was going viral during the broadcast of Sunday’s NFC wildcard playoff game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles, a question was posted on Facebook to Detroit’s longest-operating, privately held family business — Dittrich Furs.
Donyale Traylor Veasley asked: “Dittrich..do you have this jacket or similar?”
As of 11:28 a.m. Monday, a reply to Veasley’s question had not been posted.
However, a look at the Dittrich Furs Facebook page, which has 19,000 followers, does reveal the intimate connection the furrier has made with Detroiters and others across the region — and across generations. It can be seen in the hundreds of heartfelt messages that continue to flow in since the Dittrich family announced Saturday, Jan. 10 that the 132-year-old company, founded in 1893, will close permanently on April 30.
A portion of a statement posted on Facebook and the Dittrich Furs website (dittrichfurs.com) by the Dittrich Family says: “It is with deep gratitude — and a somewhat heavy heart — that we share this news. After much reflection, the Dittrich family has made the decision to retire and focus on the health and well-being of our family.”
And many of the well-wishing messages beneath the closing announcement on Facebook — some from customers that rushed out to Dittrich’s 7373 Third Avenue location in New Center on Saturday, Jan. 10 to take advantage of a 70%-off retirement liquidation sale announced by the family — were written as if they were addressed to a family member.
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“Being a Dittrich customer was a childhood dream fulfilled,” Miriam A. Miller shared. “I loved every minute feeling luxurious in my furs and when I came to the store. Thank you for being a part of Detroit culture.”
Andrea Bresser wrote: “I’ve been singing your jingle since I could understand what was on the TV. Loved to mimic ‘Dittrich furrrr’ for hours. Be well.”
Darralyn Hutson, an award-winning journalist, author, documentarian and media strategist, who has provided content to a host of media outlets including the Detroit Free Press, also is listed as a “Top Fan” on the Dittrich Furs Facebook page. Her message reflected her family’s connection to the furrier: “Yvette Temple, your new VP is a gem. My family loves her and we have 20-plus coats in storage to prove it, but we can always get one or two more. Love guys.”
Face-to-face stories shared by Dittrich customers that span several generations will no doubt continue Tuesday, Jan. 13, when Dittrich Furs reopens at 10 a.m. More information about Dittrich Furs can be found at dittrichfurs.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Social media is preserving warm stories about Dittrich Furs’ legacy
Reporting by Scott Talley, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
