Art Van Furniture, Michigan's largest furniture retailer, announced that it is preparing to cut the ribbon at two brand new showrooms in Petoskey and Onaway.
Following months of planning and preparations, the grand opening celebrations begin Friday January 21 with ribbon cuttings at noon in Onaway followed by a 4pm ribbon cutting in Petoskey. Art Van Furniture Founder and Chairman Art Van Elslander along with members of the senior leadership team will be in attendance.
The grand opening extravaganza continues Saturday Jan. 22, 2011 at 10am and runs until 8pm at both locations with free food, fun, family-friendly entertainment, including clowns and music. The first 250 people through the doors will receive a FREE gift. Guests at any Art Van location around the state will be able to join in on the fun by entering "The Car of Your Dreams" contest for a 24-month auto lease, a 60-inch 3D Blu-ray television, a $5,000 shopping spree, or a trip for 4 to Disneyworld.
"We're excited to be growing in northern Michigan," said Art Van Founder and Chairman Art Van Elslander. "We're not just opening a new location, we want to become part of the neighborhood. It's what we've done in Michigan communities for more than 50 years, creating local jobs, hiring local contractors and giving back whenever we can."
Art Van recently acquired the real estate and assets of Brewbaker's Furniture, another family-owned business which had been operating for more than a half century. Art Van will retain Brewbaker's 80-plus employees, including two sons who helped manage Brewbaker's Petoskey and Onaway stores.
In total, Art Van has three grand openings this weekend, the two northern Michigan stores and a third at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills. "This is a highpoint for Art Van and for the furniture business across the country," said Van Elslander. "I can't recall any American furniture chain having 3 grand openings in one day."
About Art Van Furniture: Art Van Furniture is Michigan's largest furniture retailer and America's largest independent furniture retailer. The company operates 34 stores in 33 communities throughout Michigan, a full service e-commerce website, plus freestanding Art Van PureSleep mattress stores in Canton, Rochester Hills and a third location opening in Troy in spring 2011. Founded in 1959, the company is family-owned and headquartered in Warren, Mich.