(WXYZ) — Art Van Furniture is closing all of its locations and beginning liquidation sales.
More than 3,000 employees across the Midwest will be losing their jobs. Most of them are in Michigan.
“Art Van who I met and I know and I admire, must be turning over in his grave today for what’s going on," Warren Mayor Jim Fouts is not mincing words after receiving a letter that Art Van is closing up shop - leaving workers without a job starting May 5th.
The headquarters in Warren employees more than 260 people and provides $2.2 million in tax revenue.
Fout’s first move is to reach out to other furniture companies to see if they would be interested in moving into the 14 Mile Road location, “I want to save jobs. Every one of those people deserves to have a job.”
"Despite our best efforts to remain open, the Company's brands and operating performance have been hit hard by a challenging retail environment," said Diane Charles, Art Van Furniture spokesperson. "We recognize the extraordinary retail, community and philanthropic legacies that Art Van Furniture has built for decades in the community."
Art Van Elslander, opened his first furniture store in metro Detroit in 1959, growing it to the number one furniture and mattress retailer in the Midwest. A year before his death Art Van was sold to a private equity firm in Boston.
"On behalf of the Company we want to offer our sincere appreciation to our employees for their dedication, commitment and hard work. We also want to extend our gratitude to the many customers, vendors, franchisees, charities and communities who have supported these retailers," Charles said.
Liquidation sales will begin Friday, March 6 at all Art Van Furniture, Art Van PureSleep and Scott Shuptrine Interiors in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana and Missourri.
“For our vendors, our suppliers, our charities. We’ve supported all these people and organizations for decades and it’s going to create a huge hole in the community,” says company spokesperson Diane Charles.
Art Van worked with hundreds of charities throughout the Midwest, including Gleaners. WXYZ and Art Van teamed up last year before Thanksgiving for our Together We Can drive.
No more Art Van means no more charitable donations.
Gleaners sent us this statement calling Art Van an incredible partner.
Art Van was an incredible partner to Gleaners and the community. We feel for the organization and its employees during this difficult time.
Many are asking what about the Thanksgiving Day parade? Art Van was the main sponsor with two more years on the contract.
We’re told that the future of the parade is secure...
“The parade is rocking for a long time to come. We will monitor the situation and act accordingly as we sign more out,” says Tony Michaels, President & CEO of The Parade Company. “The Parade Company is on very solid ground.”
What about the customers?
If you’re making payments - yes you still owe them regardless if Art Van is closing. The money you owe is considered the company’s assets that is being liquidated.
What about warranties? Right now it’s unclear what will happen with that or refunds.
And if you’re trying to call their customer hotline a busy signal is all that you’re going to get.
We’re told Art Van’s website will be updated with information about warranties and returns.
