How It All Began

John Pavlis grew up during World War II in Kastoria, Greece with the fur business in his blood. A 3rd generation furrier, he learned his craft from his father and grandfather as a child in Kastoria, one of the world’s largest fur manufacturing towns. In Kastoria John excelled in the fur business at custom making fur garments at his father’s fur factory. In 1960 John and his new bride, Ermioni, emigrated from Greece to the United States, settling in Chicago. Once in Chicago John continued to perfect his craft and worked in the State Street fur district for years.

In 1974, John and his wife built their own free standing full service fur salon in Arlington Heights. At this store in Arlington Heights the next generation of the fur business began. Learning the craft of making furs from his father also began as a child for John’s son Angelo. Angelo began working full time at the store in 1982 after graduating from school. Working side by side with his father over the years, Angelo gathered the utmost knowledge of furs and created a new style all his own.

In 2003 the store was officially purchased by Angelo so that John and Ermioni could enjoy retirement. The flagship fur store in Arlington Heights is currently run by Angelo and his wife Rachel. Angelo and Rachel travel the world to attend international fur trade shows for the latest fashions and ideas in outerwear. They hand pick out pelts at international auction houses for their custom made fur garments and are one of the only retailers in the country that are currently registered buyers of Blackglama and American Legend mink pelts. Angelo and Rachel both serve as current board members on the Fur Information Council or America (FICA) and are also proud to be the only Authorized Fur Care Specialists in the state of Illinois.

Participating in local groups and events is also important to Angelo and Rachel. They work with dozens of local charities every year to help them raise money and they also supply their fur fashions for local fashion runway shows. Angelo and Rachel are current members of their local chambers, both the Arlington Heights and Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, and are members of their local Rotary International club. Pavlis Furs is also a member of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.

Angelo and his wife Rachel are excited to share the warmth and fashion of their fine furs, shearlings and leathers to Chicagoland and beyond. They are also happy to offer a full service fur salon, and proud to be the largest manufacturing furrier in Chicagoland. From on-site storage, cleaning, repairs, restyling and insurance appraisals to custom made furs, they are completely at your service. Pavlis Furs continues to grow its customer base by servicing all store labels, including the now defunct Evans, Marshall Fields, O’Brien and Sons and Oak Park Athens Furs, among others. In fact, over the past 35 years in business, the family owned Pavlis Furs has put on 3 additions to accommodate their expanding customer base.
At Pavlis Furs you will always be greeted and helped by a friendly and knowledgeable family member. The fur business is not just what they do, it is who they are, and they welcome you to Pavlis Furs.