- Credibility:
WEST TOWN — A family-owned West Town furniture shop known for imported Italian pieces is closing this weekend.
EuroFurniture, 2145 W. Grand Ave., will close Sunday after more than 50 years of business.
At least $200,000 worth of furniture is left, and all of it is between 40 and 80 percent off, store owner Chris Racana said.
EuroFurniture’s hours will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and Noon-5 p.m. Sunday. The store also offers a delivery service.
Richard Racana, Chris’ father, opened EuroFurniture during the 1960s on the 12th floor of the Merchandise Mart. His grandfather was in the furniture business, too.
In 1983, Richard Racana moved his showroom to the building on Grand Avenue. Later in life he left the business to his two sons, Randy and Chris Racana.
The brothers operated the business together until last year, when Randy died at the age of 51 from pancreatic cancer. He was a father of four children between the ages of five and 15.
Chris, who is 43, decided he didn’t want to run the store without his brother. In addition to closing the business, he listed the 40,000 square-foot building for sale.
“It was supposed to be my brother and I,” Racana said. “It’s pretty emotional. … I was number three on the totem pole forever.”
Chris Racana lived in the West Town neighborhood for several years. Today he lives in Avondale with his wife and their 3-year-old twin daughters.
“The day before my brother died, we had long conversation … I had guilt, being chief … He was always 1a and I was always 1b, the little brother,” Chris Racana said. “Now my future is unwritten.”
This Sunday will be the last day for the showroom, but the business will likely operate through March, he said.
Leftover pieces include high-end leather sofas, sectionals, dining tables, home office furniture, lounge chairs and recliners.
Credit: Facebook / ProvidedThe store’s focus has always been on contemporary Italian and American-made pieces, Racana said.
The majority of the dining sets left in stock are Italian-made, while the majority of upholstery is American-made.
Examples of brands in stock include American Leather, Cattelan Italia, Calligaris, Stressless, Fjords and Bontempi.
Credit: Facebook / Provided
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