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Edgewater's Beloved Granville Frame Shop To Close After Nearly 90 Years

By Linze Rice | May 23, 2017 2:25pm
 Granville Picture Framing and Gallery Arts, 6200 N. Broadway, will close later this year after nearly 90 years in business.
Granville Picture Framing and Gallery Arts, 6200 N. Broadway, will close later this year after nearly 90 years in business.
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DNAinfo/Linze Rice

EDGEWATER — One of the Far North Side's longest-standing businesses is set to close later this year.

Granville Picture Framing and Gallery, 6200 N. Broadway in Edgewater, said after nearly 90 years in business in the same location, its closing its doors on Sept. 30. 

"I'm going to be sad," said shop co-owner Sarah May, who has been at the Granville shop for 15 years. May and the other shop owners are ready to retire, she said. 

Though there are no plans to keep it open as of now, May said they would consider selling the business to someone who wanted to carry on the torch.

The store's sister location at 4757 N. Lincoln Ave. in Lincoln Square is due to close as well. That shop will likely close before the Edgewater store does, but an exact closing date was not yet known. 

May is telling customers if they want a custom frame job to get orders in well before the September deadline, although those looking to purchase art or decorative pieces can still peruse the shop up until closing time. 

The shop also plans to participate in the annual Edgewater Sidewalk Sale at the corner of Broadway and Granville on Saturday June 3.

Though frames won't be for sale, some of the store's more decorative items like flowers, vases and other "props" will be, the owner said. More sales will occur throughout the summer.

May said people often stop in to get a glimpse into the store, well-known for its vintage green facade and clock emblazoned with an elegant cursive "Granville."

It was still too early to know what would become of the famous sign, May said, but she hoped if someone took over the business it would stay in place.

Its image has appeared on many Chicago trinkets, such as postcards, paintings, magnets and coasters. The shop was even tapped to custom frame items delivered to former President Barack Obama in the White House.

However, most of the people who stop in to look around don't buy anything, May said.

Not only is the frame game a "changing business," but setting a picture correctly is an artful skill that is more difficult than people may realize — and it's hard today to come across today, she said. 

"There won't be many of us left," May said of similar stores in the area.

An array of frames at the long-time Edgewater shop. [DNAinfo/Linze Rice]Vases, flowers and other decorative pieces will be for sale June 3 during the store's sidewalk sale. [DNAinfo/Linze Rice]