The Fur Factory Will Celebrate 55 Years of Success

by georgina arias avila

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José Luis Martinez

This August, The Fur Factory will mark 55 years of delighting locals and tourists alike with beautiful coats, hats, scarves, moccasins, gloves, and other accessories. The shop is located at 547 Second Avenue in the city of Fairbanks.

The owner is José Luis Martinez, a native of Mexico who arrived in Alaska from Monterrey in 1971 alongside his wife, Guillermina. Influenced by his wife's background, José learned the fur trade in Anchorage, where Gigi's relatives owned the Anchorage Fur Factory. "I was 22 years old, and it was my first job; I knew nothing about crafting garments from fine furs. I went there to learn, and I gained the knowledge I needed to establish my own business in Fairbanks," he said.
After one year, José and ‘Gigi’ decided to move to the "Golden Heart City" and opened The Fur Factory. José creates custom-made pieces using patterns and personally crafts 70% of the garments. He is assisted by one helper.
"Parkas"—or beaver coats—range in price from $3,000 to $3,500. Ladies' boleros—such as those made from bison fur—cost $700.
 
Customers particularly favor fox fur for their garments; the appearance of the fur varies depending on the animal's species and genetics, ranging from classic red hues to darker tones.
 
In recent years, customers have increasingly sought out hats and scarves. "We make hats using fox, beaver, and wolf furs. Beaver fur is the favorite choice for men. Women, on the other hand, tend to choose white fox fur, which costs $395." The shop's "mukluks"—or boots—are crafted with a distinctive feature that sets them apart from the traditional versions made by Native artisans: they are fitted with non-slip soles designed for walking on snow. Its price is $475. “This business has given me stability, and I never worked for anyone else. God has allowed the store to become established and to be a source of delight and wonder for our customers.”
 
José and ‘Gigi’ had three children: José, Francisco, and Luis Manuel. They learned the ropes and helped out in the business until finishing high school. Guillermina passed away eight years ago.