WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD: FRAME ITJuly 10, 2023NewsHas anyone else noticed how Second Avenue is springing up with new businesses? One of the latest edition is FRAME IT, a custom picture framing store. Our Executive Director Kerry Neil got to chat with owner Petronella to find out more about this bespoke business in downtown Squamish.
Tell me about you and your business?
Originally from The Netherlands, I opened FRAME IT in Squamish in January 2023, offering custom picture framing for almost everything; think of paintings, etchings, and photographs to 3D objects, your sports memorabilia, and textiles. With our framing, each piece is put on a figurative ‘pedestal’. We design a frame to fit your piece of art, apply conservational framing techniques and use archival materials while assembling it. In the Netherlands, picture framing is an artisan profession for which there is still actual schooling. I was taught the highest level of framing, hence my membership in the Fine Art Trade Guild. Fine art framing is not so much about just putting a nice frame around a piece of art. It’s about knowing how to treat a specific valuable, by applying non-invasive mounting techniques and preserving a piece with acid-free materials.
What inspired you to want to open a business in downtown Squamish?
We chose Squamish as our new home for its outdoorsy vibe and natural surroundings. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and owned my businesses in The Netherlands, so opening my shop was a logical step to take after moving to Canada. And when it comes to being downtown, it’s nice to be in the middle of things, to have everything close by and I love being able to walk to work. Also, our toddler knows exactly how to hobble to the shop. That’s super cute. Working so close to home makes it easy to close the workday with a drink in the park, an ice cream at Alice + Brohm, or some fun time at the playground.
What do you love most about having a business in Squamish?
My husband and our daughter Jasmine and I live in downtown Squamish and love it. We moved here in November 2022, so we’re pretty fresh. The most wonderful thing about having a business here is being embraced by the supportive community that Squamish is. This is something else to experience when moving from another country. It’s lovely to feel like people have been waiting for a picture-framing shop to open its doors, and I’m very grateful for the customers I have been able to service.
What is your best piece of advice for any business owner?
I like to call myself an intuitive entrepreneur. As much as I know about the importance of business plans, financial control, good marketing, and PR. I’m convinced that eventually, a business’s success depends on the personal passion you put into it, being true to yourself, and doing great what you’re good at. It’s just nice and uplifting to have customers coming back because you did an awesome job, right?
What is your favourite memory of your business thus far or what are you looking forward to the most?
I’m pretty proud of the fact that I was able to privately fund my start-up here. Being an immigrant, it’s not easy to get support from a financial institution. Also, it’s been super rewarding to have customers walking into the shop after putting blood, sweat, and tears into moving the entire business overseas. That makes it my favourite memory thus far.
Tell me what other stores are your favourite/ that you like to frequent in downtown Squamish?
I’m addicted to the candles at Valley Living. I enjoy browsing Pearls (who doesn’t?!), I grab an occasional sandwich across the street at my neighbours Peak Provisions Mountain Grocery. I love to drop by KAOS kids if only for a sheet of stickers. Green Olive is our favourite spot for a Sunday coffee and to get our Dutch liquorice, and of course way too often we get a mouth-watering doughnut from Fox & Oak.
Anything else you would like to share?
Everybody is welcome to visit the shop on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between 10 am and 5 pm. We can’t wait to meet you there!
For more information visit https://www.frame-it.ca/ or better yet just pop by 203 – 38026 Second Avenue (second floor).
Has anyone else noticed how Second Avenue is springing up with new businesses? One of the latest edition is FRAME IT, a custom picture framing store. Our Executive Director Kerry Neil got to chat with owner Petronella to find out more about this bespoke business in downtown Squamish.
Tell me about you and your business?
Originally from The Netherlands, I opened FRAME IT in Squamish in January 2023, offering custom picture framing for almost everything; think of paintings, etchings, and photographs to 3D objects, your sports memorabilia, and textiles. With our framing, each piece is put on a figurative ‘pedestal’. We design a frame to fit your piece of art, apply conservational framing techniques and use archival materials while assembling it. In the Netherlands, picture framing is an artisan profession for which there is still actual schooling. I was taught the highest level of framing, hence my membership in the Fine Art Trade Guild. Fine art framing is not so much about just putting a nice frame around a piece of art. It’s about knowing how to treat a specific valuable, by applying non-invasive mounting techniques and preserving a piece with acid-free materials.
What inspired you to want to open a business in downtown Squamish?
We chose Squamish as our new home for its outdoorsy vibe and natural surroundings. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and owned my businesses in The Netherlands, so opening my shop was a logical step to take after moving to Canada. And when it comes to being downtown, it’s nice to be in the middle of things, to have everything close by and I love being able to walk to work. Also, our toddler knows exactly how to hobble to the shop. That’s super cute. Working so close to home makes it easy to close the workday with a drink in the park, an ice cream at Alice + Brohm, or some fun time at the playground.
What do you love most about having a business in Squamish?
My husband and our daughter Jasmine and I live in downtown Squamish and love it. We moved here in November 2022, so we’re pretty fresh. The most wonderful thing about having a business here is being embraced by the supportive community that Squamish is. This is something else to experience when moving from another country. It’s lovely to feel like people have been waiting for a picture-framing shop to open its doors, and I’m very grateful for the customers I have been able to service.
What is your best piece of advice for any business owner?
I like to call myself an intuitive entrepreneur. As much as I know about the importance of business plans, financial control, good marketing, and PR. I’m convinced that eventually, a business’s success depends on the personal passion you put into it, being true to yourself, and doing great what you’re good at. It’s just nice and uplifting to have customers coming back because you did an awesome job, right?
What is your favourite memory of your business thus far or what are you looking forward to the most?
I’m pretty proud of the fact that I was able to privately fund my start-up here. Being an immigrant, it’s not easy to get support from a financial institution. Also, it’s been super rewarding to have customers walking into the shop after putting blood, sweat, and tears into moving the entire business overseas. That makes it my favourite memory thus far.
Tell me what other stores are your favourite/ that you like to frequent in downtown Squamish?
I’m addicted to the candles at Valley Living. I enjoy browsing Pearls (who doesn’t?!), I grab an occasional sandwich across the street at my neighbours Peak Provisions Mountain Grocery. I love to drop by KAOS kids if only for a sheet of stickers. Green Olive is our favourite spot for a Sunday coffee and to get our Dutch liquorice, and of course way too often we get a mouth-watering doughnut from Fox & Oak.
Anything else you would like to share?
Everybody is welcome to visit the shop on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between 10 am and 5 pm. We can’t wait to meet you there!
For more information visit https://www.frame-it.ca/ or better yet just pop by 203 – 38026 Second Avenue (second floor).
