Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry Miller
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It started in 2004. I walked into a frame shop in the central west end, in saint louis, and realized I knew the owner(Bruce). He had just bought the place and he knew i knew everyone and asked me if I wanted a job and to bring all of my friends/contacts.
I learned to frame on the go. Bruce, myself and the staff turned a failing business into a profitable store within a year. Bruce would advertise and drum up new corporate business, while I managed the shop and reach out to my contacts. We expanded a few years later to add retail and more needed work space.
We did really well. But by 2016/2017 I was a little burned out and left framing for a bit. But came back to it a couple years later…working with Bruce again. This time in a different location.
Then the pandemic hit and everything went crazy.
We thought we were going to have problems…and we did… just not how we thought.
We were swamped with business. Probably the busiest we’d ever been. Everyone started digging out closets and from under the beds and finding lots of things to frame.
No one was delivering so Bruce drove to Chicago and Kansas City to pick up supplies while I built the frames. And we made it through even better than before.
In 2022 Bruce decided to sell the business.
The couple that bought it… let’s just say they had never done any framing, run a business and had no motivation to do even better or even step up to help themselves. We clashed. And after 1.5 years with them I left.
So in February of 2024 I sold part of my 1904 worlds fair collection (i have one of the best collections around. Over 5000 items)I opened my own shop.
With the help of Karen Kelly(who also left the same frame shop right before me) I opened the doors of my frame shop in March 2024.
Karen, my friends, connections and the city of Des Peres has welcomed me with open arms. They are keeping me crazy busy and I appreciate every one that walks through my door making this business a success.
Bruce passed away a few months ago and I think he would have been very proud of me and the business.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Other than dealing with the new owners of the old frame shop i worked everything has gone pretty smoothly.
The only regret I have is having to sell some of my collection off to pay for this endeavor.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a framer I get to be creative every day. Every project is unique. I believe anything can be art. At my shop we are known for our customer service and design. Not the typical cookie cutter framing(white mat, black frame). Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Sometimes simple is best. But when you want more….we can give you that as well…and at a fair price.
What matters most to you?
What matters most…. is making the customer happy. Seeing their faces light up when they pick up their new framing is the best. Especially if it’s extremely personal. If they smile…..and sometimes cry. You know you’ve done a great job for them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Pictureframing.stl
- Facebook: Picture Framing STL
