A giant of business in Michigan has passed away.
Art Van Elslander, the founder of Art Van Furniture, has died at the age of 87.
A statement by the family says Van Elslander had been battling cancer for the last year.
“My family is heartbroken by the loss of our father,” said Gary Van Elslander, President of Van Elslander Capital, and Mr. Van Elslander’s eldest son.
Art Van Elslander opened his first store on Gratiot Avenue in East Detroit in 1959.
Known then as Art Van’s, Van Elslander was the sole employee of the store, which featured Danish and contemporary home furnishings. The company grew and later the name was changed to Art Van Furniture.
In 1973, Art Van Furniture moved its headquarters to the 14 Mile location in Warren, where it is still located today.
Today, the company operates 100 stores throughout Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. Van Elslander sold the company last year to a private equity firm.
Van Elslander is survived by his ten children, wife Mary Ann, several grand children and great grand children.
The Van Elslanders have a long history of philanthropy. Art Van is well-known to have put up the money to save the Detroit Thanksgiving Parade 20 years ago as it was nearly canceled. Funeral arrangements will be announced.