Cornering the Market

Gracing Garden City for 82 years!

Posted

Barbatsuly Furs
1046 Franklin Ave., Garden City
(516) 742-8280, www.barbatsulyfurs.com

It isn't surprising that Barbatsuly Furs — family-owned, founded in 1936 and still in its original building — has been cited as the oldest existing store in Garden City. When the Barbatsuly family retired in the early 2000s, Jimmy Karanikas purchased the business, striving to carry on its stellar reputation. This came naturally to Karanikas, whose experience spans 40 years in all facets of the fur industry - manufacturing, wholesale, and designing. His priorities include offering top quality products, and keeping his customers happy.

The showroom is upscale and spacious, yet comfy and warm. An endless array of ready-to-wear outerwear garments and accessories are easily viewable, made from exotic furs, high-end fabrics, and fine leathers. Shown in many styles and colors are jackets, coats, capes, shawls, hats, fur-trimmed gloves, scarves and handbags. On staff are designers who can give advice or help with alterations, remodeling, or customizing garments made from scratch.
As for what’s hot among furs, styles have gotten more modern and less basic, said Karanikas. “Very popular are flat furs, like sheared mink and sheared beaver, showing more design. Sable remains the most luxurious and expensive, always making a statement. Reversible jackets are all the rage, with one side mink and the other a fabric, with the fur showing on the collar and cuffs. These are great for travel, quite lightweight, easy to pack and carry.”
Newest in his collection and most sort after are the Italian Designer Loro Piana cashmere two-tone reversible jackets, parkers and capes with mink trim. The fur is often dyed, as colors like blue, green and burgundy are now more in demand than the neutrals.
The building that houses Barbatsuly was originally built for furs, so on-site cleaning, glazing, and cold storage is a large facet of the business. They have controlled temperature and humidity, and ample storage space. In addition to custom-made garments and restyling, they also do repairs, restorations, appraisals and monogramming.
Barbatsuly Furs is open Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed on Sunday.