Art & Framing at Stapleton, a much-loved locally owned store in the 29th Ave. Town Center, will be closing its doors on Dec. 20 since the store’s lease ends this month. Lin Clark, who opened the framing business in 2005 with her brother Ron, founded and sponsored the Stapleton Open Studios tour for Stapleton artists and also supported local artists by showcasing their work in her store.

Clark’s longtime customers are quick to talk about why they love doing business with her.

Lin Clark in her 29th Ave framing shop in 2005.

Shannon Levitt-Allen says she had previously only been to “generic” framing stores. She remembers her first visit to Clark’s store, about six years ago. “She really took a lot of time and effort into making it a really pretty final piece and showed me what a frame can actually do for a picture or a piece of art. Even some posters I had that were meaningful to me, she showed me ways that you can make them look really nice that I had never thought of … I’ve even bought things in anticipation of getting them framed there. She’s just a really great person and she does a lot to make something that’s going to be in your house for a long time really beautiful and seem more special.”

Stefanie Jones says she started getting things framed for her home, but quickly added framing for clients in her PR business. “Lin’s pricing was very competitive, but it was really never about the price. It
was about the level of service. Lin would just bend over backwards to make it perfect … to get it fast if needed. More than half the time she would drop the framed pieces off at my home on her way home. She was like the Nordstrom of framing with the thought and the care she put into running her business … Lin really created an environment in that little store that doesn’t really exist in the business world anymore.”

Artist Kathy Skarvan, who will take over the annual Open Studios Tour, says “Lin is a lover of art and a lover of artists, so she has been helpful to the artists in Stapleton and other areas. She would help artists with their websites or their marketing. She did a lot more than just framing.” Skarvan says the artists will miss her, “I can’t say enough good things about what she’s done for the artist group in Stapleton.”

But the good news for the community is she may have found at least a temporary home where she can keep her business going. Clark hopes to have periodic “framing expos” for 3–4 days at a time in some of the unfinished space at Stanley Marketplace where she would bring her frame and mat samples and meet with customers. She would then deliver the framed pieces directly to her customers’ homes.

Although a store at Stanley isn’t finalized, Clark says she loves the idea of being around like-minded businesses where everyone helps bring new visitors to their shared location. Check the website at www.ArtandFramingStapleton.com for upcoming expo dates.