02/25/2019
Happy birthday to us!
Tim Smith sells Carter Ave. Frame Shop
to son Michael on their March 2nd birthdays
ST. ANTHONY PARK, Minn. (February 2019) -- Tim Smith, owner of the 44-year-old Carter Ave. Frame Shop, today announced the sale of his St. Anthony Park custom picture framing and art gallery business to his son Michael Smith. The change in hands, is an appropriate birthday gift, as Tim turns 60 and Michael will be 30 on the day of the sale’s completion, March 2nd.
In 1985, during the elder Smith’s senior year at Luther Seminary, he purchased Carter Ave. Frame Shop with Tom Lind, owner of The Framing Place and Gallery, Roseville, Minnesota. The 350-square-foot Carter Ave. Frame Shop was originally located in a basement off the parking lot of Milton Square. Smith later bought out Lind in 1989.
“I worked part-time for Tom during seminary and found I was good at sales, design and working with my hands, which was a surprise having never taken any shop, art or business classes in school. I was a math and science kid in high school and studied psychology and philosophy in college,” Tim recalls. “Tom invited me to buy the business with him during my senior year. I'm probably the only framer in the country with a Master of Divinity degree.”
Carter Ave. Frame Shop has grown over the years and has won several awards, including “Best Frame Shop” by Minnesota Monthly. Since 1994, the 1800-square-foot shop has served the greater community at its current location in a freestanding building located at 2186 Como Ave.
Michael, who has been working at Carter Ave. Frame Shop since 2016, became a 25-percent owner in March 2017. Michael studied Criminology at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and worked for Hammer, Inc., a non-profit housing and service organization providing support to individuals with disabilities. He recently moved back to St.Anthony Park and purchased his first house.
“I never imagined spending so much time with my dad, but we’ve gotten along great,” said Michael. “I can't imagine a better way to learn what I need to continue this business to the standard that Tim has set. I love working with customers and making their art look great with good design and framing. I'm hoping to continue my dad's legacy at Carter Ave. Frame Shop.”
Tim plans to continue working as Michael's employee after the sale.
March 2nd will be a memorable day in the Smith family. A big birthday celebration is planned.
