ITHACA, NY (CortacaToday) — The Frame Shop, located at 414 West Buffalo Street in Ithaca, is a testament to what it takes to honor tradition while keeping up with the times.

The building The Frame Shop is located in was built in the 1800s, originally housing a shoe store. In the early 1900s, it became Albert Huff Groceries and stayed a grocery store until 1956 when it became a frame shop.

Nancy Russell worked for Hugh and Adele Cheney in 1986 and bought the business from them in 1988 when they retired. Emily Russell, daughter of Nancy and current owner of The Frame Shop, joined her mother in 2004 and took over the business in 2015 when she retired.

The business side of things came with relative ease for Emily, stating that “I had always managed people and had HR experience, so it wasn’t too much of a transition.” As for the actual trade of framing, the shop has an experienced crew who have learned the ins and outs of what it takes to deliver quality work.

“Most people who have worked here haven’t started with experience in framing and don’t necessarily need it to be efficient at their job. It takes someone with an eye for it, agility with their hands, and patience, which are mostly things that can be learned. The people who apply typically know that they have the strengths to do the job,” says Emily about her team.

Though it entails a skill set that can be learned for the most part, it’s a craft that takes precision and care. “It’s something different all the time. Some customers are quick and know what they’re looking for, some people need a longer process and have a harder time figuring out what they need,” Emily remarks.

Having framed original Audubon, Andy Warhol, and Picasso prints, The Frame Shop has built quite a client base over the years and has a reputation for quality work in the community. “I’ve noticed that people in Ithaca seem to have an appreciation for more traditional, classic styles of work. We try and work with the customers as much as possible to figure out what’s in their budget, how we can honor the artwork, and go from there as opposed to trying to do the newest, flashiest thing,” Emily says of the relationship with their customers.

With approximately 2,500 framing jobs completed a year, The Frame Shop is a staple in the Ithaca area. To learn more about their history, team, and services, visit their website.