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ritiunded On Fin
Detroit and the Dittrich family:
Judy Greenwald { Contributing Writer
A
brief bit of history: In 1701, Detroit
was founded as an outpost to protect
and regulate the fur trade in the Great
Lakes.
This fact is well known to the Dittrich family,
whose name has become synonymous with
the high-fashion fur industry and whose busi-
ness success began in the city in the late 1800s.
It was Emil Dittrich, a furrier from London,
who began in 1893 with a small wholesale
shop near Trapper's Alley on Witherall Avenue,
purchasing pelts from trappers and transform-
ing them into scarves and collars for wool
coats. The business grew to include a retail op-
eration and, after World War I, Emil made his
first move to the Fisher Arcade on Woodward,
bringing sons Francis, Harold E. and Alfred to
help run the store.
The business moved a second time in 1928,
to Grand River, remaining there until 1965,
when freeway construction necessitated the
company's relocation to its current home on
Third Avenue. It was at this updated facility
realized "no business is without 'family-type'
problems. So, when my dad and grandfather
came to me with an offer, I took the job ā for
less pay!"
The family values that have sustained this
a long tradition.
oldest retail business in the Detroit area are
apparent in Dittrich's outlook.
"My grandfather told me on my first day
where the third Dittrich generation, Robert,
of work, 'Greet every customer that walks
Donald and Harold M., began their careers in
through our front door as if they were a wel-
the family concern.
come guest arriving in your own living room'."
In 1977, Harold M. and his son, Harold G.
This philosophy, he added, has been taught
(Hal) opened a suburban branch of Dit-
over the years to every one of the company's
trich Furs in Bloomfield Hills. In addition to
employees, who also are considered as "part of
consulting with customers to choose the best
our family." And many of Dittrich Furs' custom-
garments, the stores offer services including fur
ers are third- and fourth-generation clientele.
storage, fur care and cleaning, appraisals and
"I'm thrilled to be working with my wife and
redesigning.
both my sons;' Dittrich continued. "It gives me
"I was raised around the fur business;'
a warm feeling to think that Dittrich Furs will
remarked Hal Dittrich, 73, of Orchard Lake,
continue to be run by Jason and Shawn, and
fourth-generation company CEO. "My first job
perhaps their children."
was sweeping floors and helping with deliver-
And what does he consider to be the really
ies. I was about 11 years old."
appealing aspects of the fur
But as a young man, it was his
business?
view that families tended to ar-
"It's the high fashion, the
Dittrich Furs
gue, and this outlook prompted
new processes of the fur
39515 North Woodward Ave.
him to seek a different career
industry, the designers, the
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
path. He noted that after work-
ups and downs we experi-
ing in a consulting business,
(248) 642-3000
ence ... but most of all, it's
at General Motors and for the
the joy of our customers for
http://www.dittrichfurs.com
pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly, he
their new fur!"
ā
RICH FURS
Zā,ee /893
Proudly serving Metro Detroit for
Spanning Three Centuries er
Five Generations
f t
gl 9
www.dittrichlurs.com
60 1JN Best of Michigan ā¢ December 2014
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47 (WS
248-642-3000
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313-873-8300