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Side Street Framers Excels In Shadow Boxes

Photo by Brian Lancione.  Stephanie Lavis (left), Barbara Daniels (center) and Dawn Wilson of Side Street Framers are excited to move into a larger space in Park Plaza in October, allowing them to handle even more of the community’s precious projects.

By Darrell Mak

Art, design and finishing touches aptly describes the expert services of Side Street Framers, a custom framing design and specialty gift store located in the Park Plaza Shopping Center.

“Our mission today is the same as it has been for over a decade: to provide outstanding service and affordable prices to all our customers at home and in business, all while maintaining the highest level of fine quality craftsmanship,” said Barbara Daniels, founder and owner of Side Street Framers.

Many of Side Street Framers’ customers are those who want to elegantly preserve a cherished artifact such as a photo, document or art piece. Daniels said she thoroughly enjoys being entrusted by her customers to create a frame that enhances and protects a potential family heirloom. “It’s painstaking but joyful work,” she said. “A hundred years from now, when people take apart our frames, we want them to say, ‘this was a great frame job.’”

Side Street Framers started in 1989. It specializes in creating unique frames for unusual fitting. Today, while continuing to provide high-quality traditional framing, Side Street Framers is renowned across the United States for its artistry in the creation of unique shadow boxes, an enclosed case that surrounds a scene or object that has been specially designed to let light pass through from only one angle to protect the objects within the box from light damage. For many frame shops, the shadow box is dreaded and sometimes even feared, but Side Street Framers specializes in and enjoys the challenge of crafting these delicate holders.

“Sure, we can do what others can do, but what we specialize in are the things they can’t do,” said Daniels.

These memorable shadow boxes have been known to enclose every imaginable type of memorabilia, from baby shoes, Grandma’s glasses and Elvis Presley’s scarf to autographed footballs, part of the Berlin Wall and even a set of whale eardrums.

Daniels said Side Street Framers’ expert ability to design and craft shadow boxes has given it a reputation as the shop that can frame virtually anything.

“With your next challenge, we look forward to the opportunity to meet or exceed your expectations,” said Daniels. “Let us show you what we can do to make your next framing project easier than you ever imagined.”

Daniels attributes the store’s success to the help she has received from others. Stephanie Lavis is the store’s expert framer and has been working with Daniels for the past 19 years. “She’s just the best,” said Daniels. Dawn Wilson, Daniels’ daughter, is expected to take over the store after Daniels retires.

Four years ago, Daniels expanded the store’s selection to include personal gifts. The gifts are all handmade by different artists throughout the U.S. and include some very unique gourds, Providence Center-brand pottery, books, candles and other items.

“They’re all beautiful,” said Daniels.

Business has been doing so well that the store will be expanding and moving to a larger space at Park Plaza. The new location, expected to open in October, will allow additional space for Daniels to showcase the store’s growing selection of gift items.

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