Azar's Oriental Rugs Closing on Saturday

Azar and Hormos Alizadeh never knew they had so many friends.

The calls, cards and kind words from customers that have come to know the beauty and quality of the products and services at Azar's Oriental Rugs have been to many to count since the owners announced this would be their final week in business after 34 years.

"It's been very bittersweet," Azar said between waiting on deal-hunting customers Thursday. "We've been so overwhelmed by the response from customers, really. We've hugged, shared stories and many, many tears with them. I never thought we were so important to people."

Originally from Iran, The Alizadeh's established a niche in Metro Detroit by offering high-quality, hand-crafted rugs from around world in 1978. They celebrated two decades at their current location last summer, but said there is little doubt that now is the right time to to step away from their seven-day-a-week jobs.

With three grown children working in other fields, the Bloomfield Hills couple said carrying on the family business didn't seem as important as getting on with the next stage of their lives.

"After 34 years we decided to just give it up and enjoy ourselves. How many happy, and healthy years do we have left?," Azar said on behalf of her husband, whom she married 40 years ago.

The two plan to travel to national parks this summer and slow down their daily schedules, though they'll remain vested local business owners. The Alizadeh's own the 7,000 square-foot property and 22 parking spaces the store occupies along Old Woodward Avenue, and agreed to lease it to BoConcept. The Denmark-based company produces modern and contemporary furniture, and has about a dozen locations in the United States.

The Birmingham store will be the first in Michigan, and should open this summer after some renovations, Azar said.

In the meantime, shoppers can get deals of 60-80 percent off of nearly 2,000 rugs that remained in stock Thursday afternoon.

Azar's Oriental Rugs will be open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. No home reviews will be allowed and all sales are final.