Michigan’s Art Van Furniture Closes Doors After 60 Years, Leaving Behind Questions
Art Van Furniture’s closing is a surprise to many, but some saw it coming. Now, Crain’s Detroit Dustin Walsh looks to what happens to the state it’s leaving behind.
After more than six decades as a retail staple here in Michigan and throughout the Midwest, Art Van Furniture is closing all of its 300-plus stores.
The Warren-based retailer’s sudden demise has shocked many in Southeast Michigan. But in some ways, it’s not all that surprising. The company is saddled with debt, and it has failed to effectively compete with online retailers like Wayfair and Amazon. What does this signal for other retailers in Michigan and across the country?
Listen: Crain’s Detroit reporter Dustin Walsh on what led to the end for Art Van Furniture.
Guest
Dustin Walsh is a reporter with Crain’s Detroit Business who has been covering this story. Walsh notes that the “collapse [of the furniture company] was really rapid.” As far as what will happen with the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit, Walsh says he spoke with the Parade Company CEO Tony Michaels and says that Michaels was confident that other funders would step up to fill the financial gap left by Art Van. As far as what will happen to Art Van employees, “it’s really going to depend on our economy and how well they can shift these employees to other positions,” he says.
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