Casco Bay Frames & Gallery is a 35-year-old business operated by second generation owners, Tony and Heather Cox. We concluded our official visits by dropping in on two frames in Maine….one in Portland and another a few miles north in Yarmouth. One of our old friends moved from Wisconsin to Maine just a year ago, so being this close – we just had to continue our eastward journey. This is a wonderful part of the country to celebrate Independence Day although rain and storms extended most activities until the 5th.īefore heading home, back to Wisconsin, we elected to travel onto Maine for one additional stop. The Fourth of July, gave us a great opportunity to connect with family at our parent’s old homestead on Lake Winnipesaukee, in Center Harbor, New Hampshire. So how do they do it? What sets them apart from the many retail shops that have disappeared from the retail landscape? Continue reading → Keep in mind that a number had just opened their doors two to three years prior to the start of this current economic downturn – a most critical time for any new business venture. Many have also expanded or diversified in this time frame. All reported a steady increase in sales and profits over the past 5 years. As we all know, since 2007, we have been in the longest running and deepest impacting economic recession since the Great Depression, and yet every one of the retail shops that we visited is not only still in business and surviving, but in fact many are thriving. In this summer of 2014 we got to see and learn how each of these retailers has kept their business moving forward in these difficult times. Most importantly, we were able to visit them on their own turf and got to see how their personalities reflected into their own retail business.
What a grand journey – We covered 3,400 miles, hit some great back roads and were able to visit many friends and acquaintances within the framing, art and gift industries. In light of the significance of this award, I had actually prepared a few comments and for the record, would like to share those with you now…
Due to time restraints, and the number of awards, there was no time allocated for an acceptance speech. The PPFA Awards recipients appeared in formal press releases from PPFA/PMA, and were also shared on the industry forums, but the presentation itself was only modestly attended and was sandwiched on the first day of the convention between many other meetings, seminars and activities. Of course he made me laugh, and although made in jest, sadly, several of the respected names that I listed above have already left us, despite the fact that their legacy and influences surround us today as picture framers. When I returned home, I shared this story with a younger friend with whom I have great respect – his initial response was, “Don’t they give those awards to Dead people?”. These folks are and were visionaries, and major contributors to the growth and professionalism of our industry.
It is almost impossible to communicate to friends and colleges what a huge honor this is, especially in light of the company that I share in having previously received this award… James Adler (2002), Paul Frederick (2006), Vivian Kistler (2009), Pat & Bill Bradley (2010), Charles Saucier (2012) and Julius Schultz (2013). Earlier this year at the PPFA Convention held in conjunction with the West Coast Art & Frame Expoin Las Vegas, I was honored to receive their highest award, the PPFA Lifetime Achievement Award.
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