Sneak Peek: Art Van Furniture Flagship in Downers Grove Opening Soon

Art Van Furniture is nearly ready to throw open the doors on its flagship store in Downers Grove, and the retailer gave Patch a sneak peek inside the two story, 112,000-square-foot building on Butterfield Road.

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This Art Van location, the largest in the chain’s 55 year history, will be the eighth store in the Chicago area and the 89th total, so far, according to Diane Charles, vice president of corporate communications.

It took two years for the business to secure the former Home Depot Expo Center. The $13 million invested in renovations resulted in a fiber optic light installation, vignettes with drop ceilings, tons of windows, a cafe, the PureSleep Mattress Store and a wall of live plants.

Downers Grove was chosen for the flagship based on population density, average income and the village’s propensity to buy furniture, according to Kim Yost, CEO of Art Van Furniture. The building, near busy roads and highways, was also a draw.

Yost said the Downers Grove store is still hiring, and so are the seven existing Chicago-area locations and the four future stores Art Van has in the works. These include locations in Glendale Heights, Algonquin and Schaumburg, opening by spring 2016, according to Art Van.

All these stores are part of the company’s two-year, $50 million expansion into the Chicago area market. With 16 stores planned to open by the end of 2016, 1,000 new jobs will reportedly be created.

“This has been a journey of adventure with no certainty,” Yost said. “But the heartbeat of our organization is the people.”

Art Van Furniture also brings charity opportunities to the midwest, and non-profit organizations can apply for sponsorships and learn more about the Art Van Charity Challenge on its website.

Downers Grove residents might also be interested in free monthly interior design classes hosted at the entertainment bar at Scott Shuptrine Interiors inside the store.

Scott Shuptrine is a luxury home furnishings gallery offering interior design services. The opening of this Art Van will also mark Chicago debut of the Scott Shuptrine gallery.

Jeanette McNamara, director of Scott Shuptrine Interiors, said community and charity events will also take place in the space.

Art Van Elslander, founder and chairman of Art Van Furniture, called this particular store “more than a dream come true.”

He said he’s visited every worthwhile furniture store in the country and attended every recent grand opening, “but none of them are as great as this store.”

Art Van Furniture at 1021 Butterfield Road will officially open Aug. 1, after the July 30 ribbon cutting and private grand opening gala starring Jennifer Hudson.

Photos by Morgan Searles.