Another chain down the tube

[duncan]

I just heard from a very dear friend of mine, who happens to manage a sho[ for Prints Plus, that as of today PP is no more and will be shutting all their doors, nationwide.

[Jerry Ervin]

It looks like their website is already dead.

www.printsplus.com (http://www.printsplus.com)

[Bob Carter]

While we will directly benefit from their closing, if true, I sure hate to see it.

Someday, we will go out of business and don't want to see my name plastered (I'm guessing with some glee)

Perhaps, we ought to list all the Grumblers that shut their doors recently?

[Rogatory]

Hmm, I was offered a career recently (in a non framing business) and have been thinking/talking/discussing and exit strategy.

But last week I learned that the DTW here closed its doors. A frame shop in a nearby town brought a trailer by Saturday loaded with moulding and equipment from their shop. And another framer called me this morning wanting to know if I wanted to buy his supplies and equipment because he’s closing up shop, now PP? What to do, what to do…

[Bob Larson]

The Wooden Bird, which was owned by Hadley, closed up last year, the VP reopened a single store (across the street from me, but in the same location that they were) and are now going out of business.

I'm glad to have less competition, but on the other hand, it kind of scares me, knowing that he had that shop for 10 years and had to close up, whereas I've only been around since November (and business isn't exactly booming)

The market in my area has been really, really slow this year, says all of the other people that I've spoken with while at the local pick-up distributor, etc. (LJ rep says this area is down about 50%)

There's another frame shop that's been around for about 15 years that's really close by, and I've been hearing all sorts of rumors about them closing down soon (including some from people that I think would know, like an artist that we both carry). Again, I don't want the competition, but these guys are established, and it's a bad sign that they aren't able to stick it out.

The only upshot to this is that if I can ride it out, I'll be the only frame shop left in a 10 mile radius.

[Jim Miller]

After decades of relatively stable growth, our industry began changing rapidly about 7 years ago, due to several contributing factors. The total framing market has been growing all along, but in market segments other than small independent shops.

Some veteran framers who thrived for ten, twenty, or more years with little or no difficulty are struggling now, finding it difficult to cope with the changes. A lot of these framers are retiring or otherwise getting out of the business.

But there are lots of newcomers, too. Generally, they are better educated and more market-savvy than their predecessors. They seem to have more realistic expectations about the market, and know their role in it.

Some of the newcomers are doing very well, but the usual statistics for small business start-ups are still applicable. That is, about half will fail within three years, and half of the remaining start-ups will fail within five years.

As volatile as our market appears to be, a look at "the big picture" is not surprising. Bad news for some is offset by good news for others.

[Bob Carter]

For what it's worth, the Prints Plus right down the hall from us just opened up right on time, as usual

[ERIC]

Well that settles it!

graemlins/kaffeetrinker_2.gif

[duncan]

Originally posted by Bob Carter:
For what it's worth, the Prints Plus right down the hall from us just opened up right on time, as usual I was going on the word of the manager of a northeast store who was on her way out her door to pick up her last paycheck and begin pulling down the displays. She rec'd the word yesterday along with every other manager in the chain, during the monday morning conference call with all other managers. It goes region by region. If the shop in your mall is open, perhaps it is because they have jobs to complete for customers, or they too, are un-decorating.

[J Phipps TN]

Since I've been open, 6 frameshops have closed their doors. I have been open for 6 years, and 2 of the shops that closed, opened their stores after I did.

After every closing, I just count that as one less business to compete with. ;)

I wonder how many of these shops thought that they would make more money up front and just gave up.

A few where established frame shops and those scare me most. I think that is why I'm less likely to move to a larger location with a bigger overhead. At worst, I haven't alot of debt so I would just move home and work from there.
:rolleyes:

I do beleive that custom framing is on a down turn right now but will make a comeback. I think that stores like Kirklands and cheap art places will eventually wear out and customers will go back to wanting something a little more exclusive,. Some still do, and that is what we are hanging on, but when being exclusive and unique is the "rage" I will be ready!!!!

I'm just waiting them out, and making a little money in the meantime.

We are a disposable society right now, I am waiting on that to change.

The only new framing business that has opened and stayed open has been Hobby Lobby, and we have grown since they came to town. I'm not sure what that means, but am thankful for it.
graemlins/popc.gif

[ERIC]

Since I've been open, 6 frameshops have closed their doors I would guess that for a chain, there are few, if any, other reasons for closing than poor financial performance. But for independants, do we have any way to know that all of them closed do to money problems?

Health, death, family crisis, retirement, leaving the region, just being tired of the ####, . . . . this has to factor in the numbers.

How many stores close even though they were turning a profit? Even though sales increased? Sure, not many, but a few here and there.

One of the largests shops in my region is looking to close next year - they hope to sell their building to a large developer. The owner will just close the business & retire early. Very early.

[Bob Carter]

Hey Duncan-The official word from the mall folks is that they are indeed shutting down, so your info appears correct

It will be a big boon for us; yet, it still bothers me when someone goes down

[JFeig]

http://www.printsplus.biz/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/locations.html?L+scstore+chqv4315ffd10ad1+11588605 38

[Rogatory]

You might not want to check THIS (http://www.printsplus.biz/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/employ/employ-main.html?L+scstore+chqv4315ffd10ad1+1158004371) out then.

[duncan]

Originally posted by Bob Carter:
Hey Duncan-The official word from the mall folks is that they are indeed shutting down, so your info appears correct

It will be a big boon for us; yet, it still bothers me when someone goes down I agree. I hate to see anyone get knocked out of work, even though PP's framing wasn't quite the same as what we do, it did provide employment to a lot of folks.
The website is still active according to my source, that is simply because it hasn't been completely pulled down yet, but is scheduled to go away in the next few days.

[Bob Doyle]

Originally posted by Rogatory:
You might not want to check THIS (http://www.printsplus.biz/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/employ/employ-main.html?L+scstore+chqv4315ffd10ad1+1158004371) out then. Dave did you check their corporate employment link? Brings up a coupon! Talk about an awesome perc!

[Paul N]

Originally posted by Bob Doyle:
Dave did you check their corporate employment link? Brings up a coupon! Talk about an awesome perc! If they pay their employees in coupons, it's a sure way to go belly up!

[Val]

Maybe we could look at PP's closing as an opportunity to find experienced framers to help. People are always complaining that they can't find experienced framers....maybe now they can.

There will be a lot of framers looking for employment. Anyone need employees?? Maybe a call to a PP near you would help out an unemployed person before they have to get in the unemployemnt line.

Scary. :eek:

[Bob Doyle]

Val, hiring people who work at McD's is not the same as hiring a chef! I am sure they had good framers, some of us came from the BBs,

gottta run, customer

[Rogatory]

The coupon expired yesterday.

[Val]

Bob, I understand the concept. I'm not looking for a master framer (would be nice!)...but wouldn't it be nice to find someone who could at least read a tape measure?? They may have the basics, and could be teachable...better than some I get walking through the doors...."Yeah, I have framing experience... I cut a mat once in high school art class..."

We all had to start somewhere, many at the BB's, heck I was a BB framing manager, and we did darned good framing. 2 of us were many-years experienced framers, unable to have our own shops. We were able to teach those that were already there and weren't doing darned good framing because they didn't know any better. But they were teachable, and eager to learn.

Why not a PP unemployed person? If I were looking, and had a closing-down PP nearby, I'd call in a second!

[stshof]

Originally posted by Val:
Why not a PP unemployed person? If I were looking, and had a closing-down PP nearby, I'd call in a second! Me too! Me too! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Seriously, Val, I absolutely agree with everything you said. I have a university here and a great art program and you would think I could find all the employees I need - but you'd be wrong. It's so depressing! graemlins/icon45.gif graemlins/faintthud.gif

[Baer Charlton]

At least they would hopefully know what at razorblade is used for.... :eek:

Oh, that came out all wrong. :eek:

ATG? :D

[Stripes]

I'm one of those managers. I'm interested in "moving up" in the framing world, if any of you in the SF area are looking for a framer. FYI we will not know for sure when we close, until tomorrow afternoon.

[Val]

Stripes, welcome to the G. Keep posting here, looking for a position, and I'll bet you'll find it.
Folks like you are hard to find, I have a feeling someone will appreciate you and your talents and your motivation. Don't give up....keep visible here and keep us posted. This is a HUGE forum, many eyes!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: graemlins/thumbsup.gif

[chrish04]

the prints plus in Las Vegas closed about a month ago

[BrianInOmaha]

Here is an interesting story about 2 frame shops here in Omaha located in the same Mall...One was privately owned by a couple that were hardly there and the other had a "in shop" owner who was there every single day. One was making 3 times the other in sales. Which one is still there?...the one with owners never there. They have filled there store with trained, professional help that run every aspect of the store. There quality is really quite excellent and their prices are, actually a little on the high side. The other store was run by an owner who knew nothing about customer service or probably business to begin with...payroll? No, he can handle all the hours and framing himself....saving himself some money. His quality was actually better than the first shop and his prices were more reasonable. Catch him when he is real nice and tired....oh the fireworks. Truth is, people will always remember certain aspects of your business and we all know what they are. Just thought it was interesting....

Brian

[duncan]

Originally posted by Stripes:
I'm one of those managers. I'm interested in "moving up" in the framing world, if any of you in the SF area are looking for a framer. FYI we will not know for sure when we close, until tomorrow afternoon. I heard again from my source and she was told late Wednesday that they may keep some stores going for another month or so, but the company is in Chapter 11 and is going to close everything. Good luck Stripes!

[PaulSF]

Stripes, I just opened a new Great Frame Up store in San Mateo, on West 25th Avenue, and I've been looking for an experienced framer for part-time work.

[Stripes]

Paul, thanks for the heads up. I will let my staff know. They're good people and hard workers. As for myself I've decided that I will probably take a month or two off and travel Europe for a bit, accomplish a few things I've been putting off, and then re-start the job hunt for a full-time position. We shall see how it goes. In the meantime I remain plenty busy. I'm not sure how long I have but I still have a couple dozen customer orders to fill before I start wholesale liquidation of merchandise and whatnot.

Alex

[PaulSF]

Alex, sounds like you've got a good plan. A couple months in Europe is going to make everyone here jealous!

Paul