(WXYZ) — Art Van Furniture is closing all of its locations and beginning liquidation sales. "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.