Help with designing a new shop

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sunflower

Grumbler in Training
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Jan 9, 2007
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Hello, I am renovating a new building, and wondered if there was a book available, or a website, that would give me ideas on how to set up the front gallery and design table, and also how best to set up my back room. I'm just hoping not to have to backtrack or worse yet, have to put up with a poorly designed work area. Thanks for any help :)
 
If I can make a vague, unstructured suggestion -- make sure you have enough space in your workshop to do big pieces, even if that means you have a smaller retail space up front. In fact, especially if you have a smaller retail space up front.

I shall explain.

Having limited retail design space means that you can't display 3000 moulding samples. Good. Choose your samples wisely, and try to emphasize mouldings that actually sell.

Having ample work space in the back means that you can handle just about any project that comes in, which gives you an advantage over almost all of your competitors. If I could make one change to my location, it would be to devote more space to my back room, and less to my front room.
 
I believe the PPFA or PFM book stores have just the book your looking for or they used to.
 
Maybe you could also try visiting some other frame shops and see how they do it. I doubt your nearby local competitors would want to give you a tour, but perhaps the ones who wouldn't be in direct competition with you in the next town over wouldn't mind.
 
welcome to the grumble.

www.columbapublishing.com has book on store layout

Contact Vivian Kistler a leader & educator in the industry for over 30 years.
She does consultation on new store start ups & layouts.
1-800--999-7491
 
I personally don't care for any of the books that I have seen on frame shop design.

First off where are you? Please fill in your profile a bit. This will help us to recommend friendly framers in your area to take a look at.

Second, what kind of a shop are you going to be? Will you be a chop only shop? Will you order short length and cut it yourself? Will you stock some length? Will you stock most all of your mouldings? Do you have suppliers that deliver? Will everything have to shipped in?

Will you have a CMC or manual mat cutter? Vacuum press or mechanical press? Saw or Chopper, Underpinner or corner vises?

How much space do you have to work with?

I like to keep frame chopping in a separate (dirty) room and mat cutting & fitting in a (clean) room.

Many questions but they are important in coming up with a design.
 
Great place to start...

Blackcat said:
Maybe you could also try visiting some other frame shops and see how they do it. I doubt your nearby local competitors would want to give you a tour, but perhaps the ones who wouldn't be in direct competition with you in the next town over wouldn't mind.
Click to expand...

Sunflower,

This is an excellent suggestion. Make a field trip out of this day or two - visit two completely different cities and "visit" at least 6-8 shops per day. (December may be a bad month to attempt dropping in...) Travel at least 45-60 miles away from your planned location.

As soon as you exit each location you visit, jot down notes...good and bad...include what you liked and what you didn't like. Be sure to include estimated measurements and remember that the more detail you include the better. If you can hang out for awile, observe how customers react and flow through the location. While you are there, look at signage also (very important).

After walking into a location, do introduce yourself to the owner or manager and mention where you are from. Although some folks will treat you poorly, the majority will embrace showing off their location, and will probably offer you more information than you require. ;)

Good luck.

John
 
You can start an armchair visit by doing a search on the Grumble and seeing what John and Sarah did with their fabulous remodel. John posted some great pictures of the entire process and there are some great ideas and things to consider.

At the WCAF there will be a class on Designing The Perfect Space-and in the January issue of PFM there will be an article about the same. Doesn't really go over the back room, but more of the showroom and what to consider when selecting the components.

The class has many photos of stores from across the US and Canada and as a group, we discuss the pros and cons of each.

P382 Creating the Perfect Retail Space
Sunday, January 24, 2010 : 5pm - 7pm

Is your sample wall a selling tool or a storage device? Do you have enough space to display all your samples effectively? Do your mat racks make you more efficient? Do your customers see your art and framing selections in the best light? Turn your design counter and gallery into an efficient place to work.

Through the skillful use of design elements and the proper selection of construction materials you will generate more sales. Find out how to use the latest technology to streamline the design process and design your space using proven psychological techniques that will increase spending. We’ll look at design counters, fixtures, display systems, signage, lighting, and more. Take home some great ideas that will turn your retail space into a selling machine.
 
Sunflower,

There are so many good ideas already posted. You'll find, as I have, that the Grumble is an invaluable resource. Plus, you can make some friends here too!

When I designed my studio the first tool I had (other than my many years of experience working in frame shops (which, by the way, was my MOST valuable tool!)) was a book that LJ gave me at a framing school. I ended up deferring primarily to my own experiential instincts, and advice from other Grumblers.

Your chosen vendor will be an invaluable resource for help in the design of your shop - and I know that LJ actually has a little book to assist with this project. (well that was a LONG time ago...but you can probably still find it)..

Best to you, and welcome to the Grumble!!
 
In this economy, just make sure the exit door is large enough and you'll be fine.

:p

There are some wonderful books in the PFM library that deal with designing a shop and building fixtures. Give it a look-see.
 
Thanks everyone for your all of your input, I have somewhere to start looking now. I will definitely be taking a road trip to a nearby larger town and stopping into the frameshops there, and also contacting Larsen Juhl.
 
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