After more than 60 years, Art Van is going out of business. AVF Holdings, Inc., announced it will wind down operations and begin liquidation sales March 6 at all of its company owned stores in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio. Eight Wolf Furniture stores in Maryland and Virginia will also be liquidated. 

The company operates under the brands Art Van Furniture, Art Van PureSleep and Scott Shuptrine Interiors. Levin & Wolf Furniture in Ohio and Pennsylvania will be sold to Robert Levin, pending court approval. 

“Despite our best efforts to remain open, the company’s brands and operating performance have been hit hard by a challenging retail environment,” said Diane Charles, Art Van Furniture spokesperson. “We recognize the extraordinary retail, community and philanthropic legacies that Art Van Furniture has built for decades in the community.”

Art Van Elslander, opened his first furniture store in metro Detroit in 1959, growing it to the number one furniture and mattress retailer in the Midwest. Elslander sold Art Van Furniture to Thomas H. Lee Partners in 2017.

“On behalf of the company we want to offer our sincere appreciation to our employees for their dedication, commitment and hard work. We also want to extend our gratitude to the many customers, vendors, franchisees, charities and communities who have supported these retailers,” continued Charles.