John Fralin in front of the storefront he plans to open in July at 3412 Semmes Ave. Photos by Michael Thompson.
A longtime Carytown woodworker and framer is moving his business across the river.
John Fralin plans to open Fralin Art and Frame in July at 3412 Semmes Ave. in Forest Hill. He has a three-year lease for the 1,000-square-foot space.
Fralin Art & Frame does custom framing and preservation for paintings, drawings and art objects. Fralin launched the business in 1990 out of his Fulton Hill home. A stretch at 1908 E. Main St. preceded the business’ 2012 move to 19 S. Belmont Ave. in Carytown.
“We do pretty much anything related to artwork,” Fralin said, adding that a lot of business comes from conservation framing. “We end up doing a lot of work for museums and galleries.”
Fralin, 58, has been subleasing in Carytown from the now-closed DéCor. His last day in the shopping district will be June 30.
Fralin has a three-year lease for the 1,000-square-foot space.
Fralin said his Carytown exit came about because he couldn’t afford the rent set by the new owner of the building. When it came time to find a new storefront, Fralin prioritized being around other businesses.
“I wanted to be in a neighborhood with some foot traffic,” he said. “We were looking for accessibility – a place where people wouldn’t be intimidated to go.”
Fralin’s new storefront will open near a forthcoming restaurant, a bakery and a bike shop. 3412 Semmes Ave. was most recently used as storage for an appliance venture and a hair salon before that, Fralin said. He said it cost more than $35,000 to build out the new store.
“We put a lot of money into the building,” Fralin said, adding that his friend, Cecil Johnson, is the general contractor. “We needed a place that’s inspiring and looks good.”
In addition to the new storefront, Fralin has a woodshop nearby on Semmes Ave. He has three part-time assistants that help him run the business. Fralin said his business has grown in recent years after slowing in 2001.
“People just stopped preserving their family history and art,” Fralin said of 2001. “In the last five years it’s just started turning around again.”
As for Fralin’s old space, the future is unclear. CBL Associates LLC bought 19 S. Belmont Ave. last year from James and David Watkins for $1.1 million, according to a city record. Local developer Ed Lacy confirmed that he controls CBL Associates. He said he has yet to find a new tenant for the space.
John Fralin in front of the storefront he plans to open in July at 3412 Semmes Ave. Photos by Michael Thompson.
A longtime Carytown woodworker and framer is moving his business across the river.
John Fralin plans to open Fralin Art and Frame in July at 3412 Semmes Ave. in Forest Hill. He has a three-year lease for the 1,000-square-foot space.
Fralin Art & Frame does custom framing and preservation for paintings, drawings and art objects. Fralin launched the business in 1990 out of his Fulton Hill home. A stretch at 1908 E. Main St. preceded the business’ 2012 move to 19 S. Belmont Ave. in Carytown.
“We do pretty much anything related to artwork,” Fralin said, adding that a lot of business comes from conservation framing. “We end up doing a lot of work for museums and galleries.”
Fralin, 58, has been subleasing in Carytown from the now-closed DéCor. His last day in the shopping district will be June 30.
Fralin has a three-year lease for the 1,000-square-foot space.
Fralin said his Carytown exit came about because he couldn’t afford the rent set by the new owner of the building. When it came time to find a new storefront, Fralin prioritized being around other businesses.
“I wanted to be in a neighborhood with some foot traffic,” he said. “We were looking for accessibility – a place where people wouldn’t be intimidated to go.”
Fralin’s new storefront will open near a forthcoming restaurant, a bakery and a bike shop. 3412 Semmes Ave. was most recently used as storage for an appliance venture and a hair salon before that, Fralin said. He said it cost more than $35,000 to build out the new store.
“We put a lot of money into the building,” Fralin said, adding that his friend, Cecil Johnson, is the general contractor. “We needed a place that’s inspiring and looks good.”
In addition to the new storefront, Fralin has a woodshop nearby on Semmes Ave. He has three part-time assistants that help him run the business. Fralin said his business has grown in recent years after slowing in 2001.
“People just stopped preserving their family history and art,” Fralin said of 2001. “In the last five years it’s just started turning around again.”
As for Fralin’s old space, the future is unclear. CBL Associates LLC bought 19 S. Belmont Ave. last year from James and David Watkins for $1.1 million, according to a city record. Local developer Ed Lacy confirmed that he controls CBL Associates. He said he has yet to find a new tenant for the space.