Dittrich Tura Advertisement 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 Zāœ“,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 e) ; 47 (WS 248-642-3000 e 313-873-8300