Dittrich Furs, one of the oldest family-owned businesses still operating in Detroit, will close its doors this spring after 132 years in Detroit.
The Dittrich family announced Saturday that the company will permanently close its location in Midtown Detroit on April 30. The family will retire and focus on their health and well-being, the family announced.
Founded in 1893, the business has been operated by five generations of the Dittrich family. It’s at 7373 Third Ave.
“For 132 years and five generations, our family has been proud to provide the finest fur and natural material fashions, along with the craftsmanship, care, and personal service that has defined who we are,” the family said in a post on Facebook. “It is with deep gratitude — and a somewhat heavy heart — that we share this news.”
The closure comes nearly three years after Dittrich closed its second location in Oakland County and decided to consolidate all of its operations into its Midtown Detroit location. The North Woodward store had operated for 45 years.
At the time, Jason Dittrich, whose grandfather started the business, said they had explored numerous options for the property on North Woodward for about five years. The 5,829-square-foot building sat on 1.25 acres.
The company’s website is advertising 70% off merchandise for a retirement sale liquidation event.
When Dittrich consolidated its operations into one facility in 2023, the company had about 25 employees.
Dittrich was founded by Emil Dittrich, a London furrier who opened a small, second-story wholesale shop on Detroit’s Witherall Avenue, according to the company’s website. Emil bought pelts directly from the trappers and made them into scarves and collars for wool coats.
Dittrich Furs was considered the oldest family-owned retail business in Detroit.
cwilliams@detroitnews.com
