For Paul Aliloo, A Magic Carpet Ride

For Paul Aliloo, A Magic Carpet Ride

By Carina Elgin

Paul Aliloo is back.

Actually, the mustachioed gentleman with graying black hair and smiling eyes, never left.

In 2016, he tried to retire from the widely-regarded oriental rug store he’s owned in Middleburg for over 30 years. He held a big sale and then hosted a reopening celebration a few doors down in a bigger space at 11 South Madison Street, as Aliloo and Son Rug Gallery was taken over by his son, Arash.

Paul Aliloo back where he belongs on Madison Street.

“I have to thank Arash for making me realize I wasn’t ready to retire,” Aliloo said. “Thanks to him, I didn’t just close up shop as I had thought I might. I didn’t know what to do with myself, and I understood how much I missed the rug business, my clients, and the town of Middleburg. I was able to come back. It just wasn’t time to retire.”

Aliloo came to America from Iran in 1976, and earned an MBA while living in Oklahoma. “After school, I climbed up the ranks at the Marriott Corporation,” he explained. “I started by waiting tables and eventually helped open new properties at different East Coast locations.”

Though he enjoyed what he was doing, Aliloo saw an opportunity when some of his clients encouraged him to move to Texas to try the oriental rug business. He discovered that he liked it and was good at it. A passion was born.

In 1983, he was visiting his brother who lived in Northern Virginia. They went out for a drive and happened upon Middleburg.

“I liked the town right away,” Aliloo said. “There was a service going on in one of the churches. There were no fast-food places or big buildings. I really liked the feel.”

He decided to open his business in Middleburg. After 30 years in the same location, he moved a few doors down on Madison Street to the old pharmacy building. Aliloo has a loyal following and many new patrons, he said, “thanks to excellent product, quality service and our dedication to our customers.”

He continues to be a direct importer of oriental rugs from many different countries. He used to travel extensively to find supply, but after so many years in the business, with a great reputation, he now has a network of suppliers who know what he wants.

He understandably takes pride in a world class collection of antique Persians and masterpiece silk rugs, as well as Serapes, Herezes, Farahans, Sarouks, and more. The rugs come in all sizes, with the colors and patterns reflecting the culture, skill and creativity of the weavers.

Aliloo is happy to share his extensive knowledge with anyone who wants to know about the many rugs spread out on the floor, and rolled up against the wall. He can tell you the age, the techniques used, the natural dyes of his plentiful inventory, and why the prices vary.

There are price points for those just starting their interest in these functional works of art, as well as the very serious collector. And, he said, “I will bring the rugs customers choose to their home so that they can see how they look.”

Aliloo Rugs also does appraisals, and is wellknown for specializing in cleaning, repairing and restoring Oriental rugs, an art in itself. Talented and patient craftsmen can even reweave and restore old rugs worn thin by years of use.

Glad you’re back, Mr. Aliloo.

Detail: alilooantiquerugs.com