Fur trade shaped early Missouri river economy

The fur trade in what is now South Dakota has had a rich history that spans centuries. The earliest trappers and traders in the region were French Canadians, who came in search of beaver pelts to trade back in Europe. They were followed by American traders, who brought with them the ideals of freedom and the pursuit of wealth. It was a rugged and dangerous life, but those who succeeded in the fur trade were rewarded with riches and the freedom to live life on their own terms.

Eilers Furs opens its doors in 1927

William Eilers, a man from Germany, was one of those people. He came to South Dakota with his dreams and strong will. He had a passion for furs and the fashion industry, and with the love and support of his wife, they opened a small retail store in the town of Huron, Mr. Eilers handled the advertising and sales part of the business while his wife did the sewing, The Eilers worked tirelessly to make their store a success, and their hard work and determination paid off. With continuous improvements and a workforce of 25 employees, Eilers Furs soon became the largest furrier salon in all of South Dakota. Eilers Furs accomplished what most people in the business thought nearly impossible as the customers spanned across the country from New York to the West Coast.

Like Father, Like Son

The legacy of the Eilers family was passed down to their two sons, Clint and William Jr., who followed in their father's footsteps. William Jr., also known as Bill, graduated from the University of South Dakota and moved to Paris where he was involved with a newspaper company. Within a short time frame, he broke into the Paris fashion circle working with top designers on public relations and advertising. But his love for his country called him to serve in the military during the Korean War as a general's aide in Paris, and after his duty was fulfilled, he returned home to help run the family business where he eventually inherited it after his fathers passing. 

EILERS FURS OPENS ITS DOORS IN 1927

William Eilers, a man from Germany, was one of those people. He came to South Dakota with his dreams and strong will. He had a passion for furs and the fashion industry, and with the love and support of his wife, they opened a small retail store in the town of Huron, Mr. Eilers handled the advertising and sales part of the business while his wife did the sewing, The Eilers worked tirelessly to make their store a success, and their hard work and determination paid off. With continuous improvements and a workforce of 25 employees, Eilers Furs soon became the largest furrier salon in all of South Dakota. Eilers Furs accomplished what most people in the business thought nearly impossible as the customers spanned across the country from New York to the West Coast.

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

The legacy of the Eilers family was passed down to their two sons, Clint, and William Jr., who followed in their father's footsteps. William Jr., also known as Bill, graduated from the University of South Dakota, and moved to Paris where he was involved with a newspaper company. Within a short time, frame, he broke into the Paris fashion circle working with top designers on public relations and advertising. But his love for his country called him to serve in the military during the Korean War as a general's aide in Paris, and after his duty was fulfilled, he returned home to help run the family business where he eventually inherited it after his father’s passing. 

EILERS FURS EXPANDS

When William Sr. passed away, Bill inherited Eilers Furs and with a sense of adventure in his heart, he decided to expand the business. In 1955, Bill moved the main store to Rapid City and built the business with the same tenacity as his father had. When the success of the expansion of Eilers Furs became evident, he opened new locations in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1975, and Billings, Montana shortly after, where he leased space at the Billings Hart-Albin department store. And then with the help of the Bon Marche chain, Eilers Furs spread its wings even further, opening stores in Seattle and other cities in the Pacific Northwest.  Bill would also eventually open an Eilers store in Eugene, Oregon as well.

BILL EILERS AHEAD OF HIS TIME

There is a saying, 'right time - right place', and Bill Eilers took advantage of every opportunity when there was a chance. Eventually the Bon Marche lease concluded, and the Billings department store closed, leaving Bill with fewer stores to manage. Some may say this was a downturn in his business, Bill proved otherwise.  With an increase in demand for popular designer furs Bill began using computer technology in 1985 to manage and deliver inventory more efficiently. With fewer stores to support, Bill was able to improve the quality of services and merchandise while meeting the needs of his guests. With competition heating up in the 80’s and 90’s, Bill once again managed to adjust his business and continued to see his business prosper.

The Passing of the Torch

One of the people who helped Bill in his expansion was a young and ambitious woman named Gail, who worked in his store in Rapid City, South Dakota. Her spirit and determination quickly caught Bill's eye, and he knew that she was destined for greatness. As Gail honed her skills in the sales floor, she eventually moved to Billings, Montana to manage the store there.

Gail had a dream of her own - to own and operate her own store. So, with the support of her husband, Leonard Iwinski, the two set out on a journey to make this dream a reality. They opened their store in Marquette, Michigan and worked tirelessly to make it a success. They built a reputation as the go-to destination for all things fur, and their business flourished for 15 long and joyful years.

Bill never forgot about Gail and Leonard, and he often thought of the incredible work they were doing in Marquette. Finally, in 1999, he managed to convince the couple to rejoin Eilers Furs, the company where their journey in the fur trade had first begun. Gail and Leonard agreed, and they took over the operation of the Sioux Falls location.

Together, Gail and Leonard continued to build a legacy in the fur trade, with their love and passion for their work shining through in every item they sold. And so, the story of Eilers Furs, a tale of love, ambition, freedom, and tradition, lived on.