Evans Furs & Leathers is entering a new era defined by heritage, craftsmanship, and the personal touch that only family ownership can bring. As of November 8, the Scottsdale retailer is officially back in the hands of the family that first introduced it to the Valley more than three decades ago.
Longtime Arizona residents Michelle Parkhurst and Linda Rita have taken ownership of the business, setting the stage for a revitalized vision. For Parkhurst, the transition marks a deeply meaningful return. Her parents, Fred and Arleen Handel, brought Evans Furs & Leathers from Chicago to Phoenix in 1989, establishing the Arizona storefront at Biltmore Fashion Park.
Parkhurst stepped into the business the following year, immersing herself in daily operations. Even after the business changed hands in 1999 to out-of-state ownership, she remained the steady force guiding Evans forward. Now, more than 25 years later, she has brought the company full circle…