Three Generations. One Tradition.
Since 1980 — A Family Story of Anatolian Craftsmanship
Our story began with Mustafa Yildiz, who moved from Arapgir, a district of Malatya in eastern Türkiye, to Istanbul with his family. Carrying his roots and a vision for the future, he saw an opportunity to connect the rich weaving traditions of Anatolia with the rest of the world. Starting from scratch, he built a family business and opened his first store in Istanbul in 1980, establishing Arapgir Kilim.
What began as a small family business grew into an international wholesale operation. Over the following decades, Mustafa built lasting relationships with dealers, retailers, and collectors across the world, including Italy, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. International buyers would travel to Istanbul to visit our store, discover new pieces, and build long-term business partnerships with our family.
The Second Generation — Bringing Tradition Online
In 1990, Mustafa's son, Nihat Yildiz, joined the family business after graduating from Istanbul University with a degree in Political Science. Having grown up around the business, Nihat understood its traditions while recognizing the importance of adapting to a changing world.
As the internet transformed international trade in the 2000s, Nihat led the business into a new chapter. He brought our traditional wholesale operation online, developed international dropshipping partnerships, and established KilimWholesale.com. By combining decades of family experience with modern technology, he created a business model that allowed us to reach customers and partners around the world while preserving the values on which the company was built.
The Third Generation — Continuing the Journey
The third generation, Burak Yildiz, Nihat's son, became involved in the family business during the 2010s. After graduating in Economics from Istanbul University and later earning his master's degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Irvine, Burak spent approximately ten years in Los Angeles and Chicago while continuing to contribute to the family's growing online business.
Working across digital marketing, e-commerce, and international sales, he helped support the development of KilimWholesale.com and strengthen its presence in the global market. Maintaining close ties between the United States and Istanbul, he continues to travel between the two, working with international customers and partners as Sales Manager for our B2B business.
Our Tradition Continues
Today, three generations of the Yildiz family have contributed to the same vision: bringing authentic Anatolian craftsmanship to homes and businesses around the world.
Although the way we do business has evolved, our values remain unchanged. We continue to work with local families, suppliers, and artisans, discovering unique handmade and vintage pieces that reflect the character and cultural heritage of Anatolia.
Every kilim carries a story of craftsmanship, patience, and tradition. From Mustafa's first store in Istanbul to our international online business today, we are proud of the journey that brought us here.
Three generations, one family, and a tradition that continues — since 1980.
