Jacques Ferber is moving to make way for Center City Vans store

Jacques Ferber, which has sold furs out of 1708 Walnut St. since 1927, is moving its operation upstairs to make way for a Vans shoe and apparel shop on the ground floor.

Andre Ferber, fourth generation of the family that traces its history to 1879 in Paris, said the family would begin remodeling the building - at one time a grand, 19th-century townhouse - at the end of the year and would close for a few months. Its showroom would open on the second floor.

Vans, which has mall shops in King of Prussia, Willow Grove, Cherry Hill, and Deptford, will open in the middle of 2014, Ferber said.