1978…

First new retail business to open in the “Clybourn Corridor”.

Business opens with one employee who eventually left to become a dentist.

Revolutionized the industry with one-week turnarounds and better design.

Jay profiled in Forbes as entrepreneurial “Biz Kid”.

1988…

Framing process gains efficiencies with state of the art framing equipment and computerization.

Higher level of quality control maintained with the addition of Quality Inspector position.

Suburban location opens in Highland Park Crossroads Shopping Center.

Included in Crain’s “40 Under 40”. Received Arthur Anderson award for “Exceeding Customer Expectations”.

Jay’s mother finally admits he wasn’t a loser for opening a frame shop instead of going to law school.

1998…

Employee count crosses the 100 mark.

Jay publishes acclaimed book for aspiring entrepreneurs “The Street Smart Entrepreneur: 133 Tough Lessons I Learned the Hard Way”.

Jay becomes business editor for the industry trade publication “Picture Framing Magazine”.

Moved one block south to present showroom at 1867 Clybourn and expanded our glorious free parking.

Furthering a passion to provide inspiring home decor, Jayson Home and Chicago Art Source Gallery businesses are opened.

2008…

Importing frames directly from Europe including an exclusive couture line.

Average tenure for framing design consultants reaches 9 years.

Expanded fleet of delivery and installation vehicles on the road.

Profiled in Bo Burlingham’s book “Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big”.

Website launched www.artistsframeservice.com.

Jay realizes that independently owned retailers are becoming an endangered species and he is committed to bucking the trend!