A picture frame may only consist of four corners but for Kris Baker and Anne Marie Halley it holds their entire careers. The two have worked side-by-side for decades at the Framing and Art Centre in Kitchener’s Belmont Village. “I’ve never gotten up in the morning and said, ‘I don’t want to go to work today,’” said store manager Halley. Now, after 51 years in business, the pair have decided to retire. Timing played a big part in their decision. “Our lease is up this year and turning 71 [years old], I don’t really want to think about when would I close, if I don’t stop now,” said Baker, the owner of Framing and Art Centre. What started as a hobby for her, eventually turned into a life-long passion. “I’ve always enjoyed art, ever since I was a kid,” Baker explained. “I took art lessons, either watercolor or oil painting and I was a young mom at home, a little bit bored and decided to get a job.” She got her start as a store associate and, in 1977, bought her own franchise. Not long after, Halley joined the business. “We started out as ‘The Framing Experience’ and it was a do-it-yourself store,” Baker recalled. “You could bring your artwork in, and we had little tables set up with hammers and nails and little vises.” The business then moved from its original home at Stirling and Courtland Avenue to King Street, where they stayed for 29 years. When construction began on Waterloo Region’s LRT, they moved to Belmont Village and changed their name to Framing and Art Centre. “The transition is always difficult, but we landed in the best place ever, and the village is a really great place to have a business,” Baker said. “It’s sad to see them go,” admitted Abbey Binet from the May Court Shop, located next door. Monica Brady, their longtime bookkeeper, is excited to hear what’s next for her colleagues and friends. “I’m really happy for Kris and her future and Anne Marie,” she told CTV News. “They’re both ready to move onto bigger and better and more exciting adventures.” Shadow frames on the store’s walls contain everything from locks of hair to hockey fare, while traditional frames hold family photos and paintings from local artists. For Halley and Baker, their experience at the store has also reframed their perspective on life. “My favorite part is, I really love people,” said Halley. “I like talking to people.” “For me, the most interesting part of my job was always meeting the people and hearing their stories, helping to design,” added Baker. Saturday, July 25 will be the last day at Framing and Art Centre in Belmont Village. The Framing and Art Centre located on Phillip Street in Waterloo will remain open.
