Village Picture Frame Moves to New Location in Dearborn Shopping Center

Village Picture Frame, one of Dearborn’s best known framing and art gallery stores recently moved its operations to the West Village shopping center at 22191 Michigan Ave.

"We're excited to be at the new location," store manager Alicia Clark-Teper said. "We wanted more exposure, and with the store facing Michigan Avenue, I think we'll attract more customers, especially when it gets warmer."

Clark-Teper said the family business moved from its previous location at 2223 Michigan Avenue at the beginning of March. Prior to that, the store was located for 25 years at 1026 Monroe St.

Owner Tom Clark said he hopes the third time is the charm, and feels right at home with his mix of neighbors that includes Starbucks Coffee, Gamestop, and BD's Mongolian Grill.

It is a diverse group of businesses that should bring some foot traffic by Clark’s store. In turn, the new location could bring business to the other shops already there, too, and possibly attract other businesses to move into the development.

Village Picture Frame specializes in framing and matting all types of keepsakes, Clark-Teper said.

"Every day is different. That's what makes this job fun," she said.

In her 20 years with the family business, Clark-Teper has framed everything from old records, to sports jerseys and magazines, and rare first edition artwork.

"(On Monday), a customer brought in an original piece by Picasso and another piece by Andy Warhol," she said. "We can mount anything a customer wants, the challenge is finding the perfect frame that gives the piece its character."

The attention to detail has paid off, with the store garnering top clients, such as Carhartt, Severstal, and the Ford family.

Clark-Teper said the family business has built a reputation for quoting customers fair prices for quality work.

"We don't have to offer 50 percent and 60 percent off custom framing to offer the best price. Our prices are consistently lower than our competition's. We also offer a quick turnaround on framing. The customer's work never leaves the premises. All work is done in-house," she said.

Depending on the type of frame, the turnaround time is roughly three weeks, she said.

In addition to its selection of custom wood and metal frames, the store also offers a limited selection of mouldings for same-day framing.

For customers looking for unique gifts, the store also offers glass and ceramic art for sale in its front lobby.

"It makes for some great gift buying," Clark-Teper said. "We have a ton of new items coming in just in time for Mother's Day."

The store is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted. To schedule an appointment, call 313-278-4870, or email villagepictureframe@gmail.com.