business & professional >>
Celebrating
Years
Bricker-Tunis Furs
reaches the century mark.
The original store in Detroit
Jack Bricker and a young Arthur
Matthew Totsky I Special to the Jewish News
I
n 1916, after Jacob "Jack"
Bricker had escaped Russia,
where Jews faced bigotry
and discrimination, and settled
in Detroit, he opened the doors of
Bricker Furs. Now, 100 years later, his
son, Arthur, 77, carries on the proud
family tradition.
"I've met so many wonderful
1111101Lid people over the years, includ-
ing numerous Motown stars,
Hollywood actors and actress-
es, professional athletes, elected
officials and professionals from
every walk of life Bricker
says. "I feel blessed to work
in a business that I love, and
I appreciate the support from
customers that has allowed our
business to grow and prosper"
i
Bricker recalls growing up in
a multifamily flat near Waverly
and LaSalle and attending
Arthur Bricker (left) and George
Tyler Shul on Saturday morn-
Tunis were partners until Tunis
ings. His mother kept a kosher
retired in 2005.
home and the family held firm
to their Jewish faith. Bricker started
out in the family business at age 14 as
the janitor. His dad slowly groomed
him to take over the business, which
he did in 1960, soon teaming up with
partner George Tunis. In 1971, he
moved the business, now Bricker-
Tunis Furs, to West Bloomfield.
leallil "19 1-
•11
36 December 15 2016
THE FUR EXPERTS
essential service we provide"
Fur restyling and repair are two
Bricker realizes that trends and styles
other important services he offers.
in the fur industry are constantly
"If you have an older fur coat in good
changing, and he and his staff work
condition but no longer fits or is
hard to keep up with this constant
outdated, our experts can
evolution.
turn it into a beautiful new
"In our business, we real-
design:' Bricker says "What
ize that the changing social
used to be your grand-
agenda has made it neces-
mother's prized fur can be
sary to incorporate new
transformed into something
looks in fur fashions at price
new and contemporary"
points that reach out to the
Bricker-Tunis Furs also
average buyer"
offers a trade-in and con-
Today's fur fashions lean
Arthur Bricker
signment policy for used
toward shorter coats, jackets,
furs. "You can apply the
ponchos and capes. Leather
value of your current fur to the cost
and fur combinations are also popu-
of a new fur, saving hundreds, even
lar. Fur purses, scarves and acces-
thousands of dollars:' Bricker says.
sories add a touch of glamour to a
"Or you can make some extra cash by
woman's everyday wardrobe, he adds
allowing us to sell it at our consign-
The company's stylists and fitters
ment boutique:'
are dedicated to assisting clients
Each item in the company's pre-
in the selection of the right fur for
owned fur selection is inspected by
any lifestyle or budget. Average
an experienced team to ensure that
retail prices for coats are $1,500 to
customers have access to the best
$3,500 — a far cry from the $10,000-
products. Additionally, all garments
$20,000 price tags in years past!
are professionally cleaned, condi-
Bricker and his staff also pride
tioned and glazed prior to purchase.
themselves on offering several
"We are passionate about furs,
unique services aimed to help their
and we believe no piece should go
customers get the most out of their
furs. "Proper care is key to protecting to waste Bricker says. "We also
offer appraisals for clients seeking
and extending the life of a fur; he
to insure a fur against loss, theft or
says. "Cold storage and professional
damage"
cleaning during the off-season is an
COMMUNITY PARTNER
Bricker-Tunis Furs has close
relationships with a variety of
organizations and charities. "We
believe giving back to the com-
munity and supporting local
charities are essential to being a
good neighbor," Bricker says.
The company supports the
Ronald McDonald House of
Metropolitan Detroit, Friendship
Circle, the Metropolitan Business
Alliance, Come Play Detroit,
the Women's Informal Network,
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and
AugMe Foundation.
"We have done numerous fur
fashion shows at local churches,
golf outings and other activities,"
Bricker adds.
Bricker says he has no plans for
retirement. "What would I do?"
he asks. "My life has revolved
around the fur industry. That's
what I do. It's what I love." *
BRICKER-TUNIS FURS
6335 Orchard Lake Road #A
(in Orchard Mall),
West Bloomfield
(248) 855-9200
www.brickertunisfur.com