Business Focus: Belmar Frame & Art, Lakewood
Creativity, expertise frame the service at Belmar Frame & Art
Article from Your Hub: Denver Post by Karen Groves
08/25/2011
Interview with Judy Niewald, owner
How did you get involved in this business?
I started out working for a local molding vendor, where I worked for 13 years and learned everything about the product and the business of picture framing. After that I worked another 11 years for a highly regarded frame shop in Lakewood and had the opportunity to expand my knowledge and grow in design and customer service.
What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
We are specialists in framing multiphoto collages, and any sort of memorabilia in shadowboxes, including sports memorabilia and jerseys. I have won first place in the region and second place internationally in framing competitions. We are experts in color and design and offer a wide range of products and knowledge. We also display original art, done by local and national artists.
What do you like best about your line of work?
The creativity that it requires to do new and exciting designs for our customers, the customer contact, as well as getting to know local artists.
What is your business’ biggest challenge?
On a positive note, it is most definitely the challenge of layout and design in complicated shadowboxes and photo collages. On a more negative note, right now it is overcoming the economic obstacle and the challenges created by big stores that offer supposedly good deals, but with limited creativity and product knowledge.
Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
I am an artist myself, and display some of my art in the store along with the fantastic art from the other artists. I love to do remodeling and decorating as a hobby, and have taken classes on oil painting restoration.
